Measles treatment costs push 89% of Bangladeshi families into debt: Study

When her 11-month-old daughter fell seriously ill with measles, Hazera Khatun travelled from Rangpur to Dhaka for treatment at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital. Although treatment at the government hospital is free, the family's expenses have already exceeded Tk70,000.

"We spent nearly Tk20,000 just to reach Dhaka by ambulance. Every day we have to buy food, pay for medical tests and meet other daily expenses. I have already borrowed money from relatives. My husband works in Saudi Arabia but has not received his salary this month, making it even harder for us," she said.

Hazera's experience reflects a wider crisis facing thousands of families across Bangladesh, as shown in a joint study by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The assessment found that 89% of measles-affected families borrowed money to cover treatment-related costs, while 61% exhausted their savings. Around 4% sold assets and 3% relied on donations.

Conducted among 2,746 families receiving treatment at 12 government medical colleges and district hospitals, the assessment found that families spent an average of Tk16,000 on treatment and related expenses. While medical care was provided free of charge, many incurred significant costs for transport, medicines, diagnostic tests, food and other necessities. 

The study showed that around 75% of patients were aged four years or younger, 19% were between five and 17 years old, and 6% were adults.

Every family surveyed said it needed financial support. Medicines were identified as the highest priority by 35% of respondents, followed by water, sanitation and hygiene support (33%) and food assistance (22%).

Among families that reported their occupation, 78% depended on informal work and earned between Tk6,000 and Tk20,000 a month, making them particularly vulnerable to income loss during prolonged illness.

The assessment was carried out to identify the most vulnerable households for emergency cash assistance. Of the 2,746 families assessed, 2,400 were selected to receive Tk10,000 each.

BDRCS Secretary General Dr Kabir M Ashraf Alam said the findings show that many families are facing both a health emergency and severe financial hardship. IFRC Head of Delegation in Bangladesh Alberto Bocanegra said the impact of the measles outbreak extends well beyond hospitals, underscoring the need for humanitarian assistance and stronger social protection during public health emergencies.

With support from the IFRC and its partners, the BDRCS has also assisted the government's nationwide measles vaccination campaign by mobilising more than 1,000 Red Crescent volunteers for community awareness, vaccination support and risk communication activities.