STAR HEALTH REPORT

Bangladesh is stepping up efforts to tackle a surge in measles-related child deaths, with icddr,b partnering the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to scale up an innovative, low-cost respiratory support technology known as bubble CPAP, says a press release.

At a high-level meeting in Dhaka, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain joined icddr,b Executive Director Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, Senior Scientist Dr Mohammod Jobayer Chisti, and Professor Dr Md Mahbubul Haque of the Bangladesh Institute of Child Health to discuss urgent interventions. Experts warned that children aged six months to three years are at highest risk, with nearly 30 percent of hospitalised measles cases developing pneumonia.

Speakers highlighted that bubble CPAP, developed locally, offers a cost-effective and life-saving alternative to conventional ventilators, costing around BDT 300 per unit. Research published in The Lancet and field studies in Bangladesh and Ethiopia show it significantly improves survival compared to standard oxygen therapy.

A follow-up session with specialists from over 30 hospitals reinforced the need for rapid nationwide implementation. Training programmes are set to begin immediately, with icddr,b providing technical support to strengthen frontline care and reduce preventable child deaths.