Health Desk || A severe crisis in measles treatment facilities has emerged at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where overcrowding, faulty equipment and inadequate services are causing immense suffering for patients and their families. During a visit to the hospital’s measles isolation ward on May 19, this correspondent found hundreds of children receiving treatment in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. A single nebulizer machine was being used by a large number of patients, forcing guardians to wait for hours to provide oxygen support to sick children. Eight-month-old Mahadi, son of Alam and Mitu from Kalmakanda in Netrokona, was admitted on May 6 with suspected measles. In addition to measles, the child was suffering from fever, cold, cough, pneumonia and breathing complications. His mother, Mitu, alleged that the only nebulizer machine in the ward had been faulty for over a week. “There is only one nebulizer machine in the ward. It has been broken for a week and has to be held together by hand while operating. Hundreds of children are receiving treatment like this every day, yet the authorities are not replacing it,” she told Bangla Tribune. Hospital sources said the 40-bed measles isolation ward was treating 108 children on May 19, nearly three times its capacity. As a result, many patients had to stay on the floor. Atiqul Islam, father of six-month-old Roja Monir, said most of the admitted children were suffering from breathing problems and required nebulizer support. “Children have to stand in long queues for nebulizer support, but the authorities are not taking any effective steps,” he said. Another patient’s relative, Humayun Kabir, complained about overcrowding and poor sanitation in the ward. “Three to four children are being kept on a single bed. There is hardly any space left. The ward remains dirty and the washrooms are not cleaned properly,” he alleged. Poppy Akhter, mother of another patient, said most medicines and injections had to be purchased from outside the hospital despite the ongoing crisis. “The doctors and nurses are trying their best, but the overall treatment system is inadequate for the children,” she said. Attempts to contact the ward’s focal person, Dr Golam Mawla, for comment were unsuccessful. Senior Store Officer Dr Jhantu Sarkar said government-supplied medicines were being provided to patients and claimed nebulizer machines had been allocated to several wards. “We will look into why the machines are not being used properly,” he said. Assistant Director of the hospital Dr Sheikh Ali Reza Siddiqui said children admitted to the measles isolation ward were receiving treatment according to directives from the health authorities. “If there are any shortcomings, necessary action will be taken,” he said, adding that no formal complaints had yet been submitted by patients’ relatives.