Van-driver father with disabilities plans to sell land to afford measles ‘immunity booster’ for son

A disabled father is facing the grim prospect of selling his only piece of land to afford an “immuno-booster” injection, each costing Tk 15,000, needed to save his 7-month-old son, who is battling a severe case of measles in Dhaka.

Identified only as Tajim, the child was rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute after his condition deteriorated.

For his father, Mohammad Aslam, the soaring cost of critical care has pushed his family to the brink of financial ruin. Aslam was born with non-functional legs.

"My son’s condition is critical. Just one injection costs Tk 15,000 after he was admitted to the ICU," Aslam told bdnews24.com at the hospital’s specialised measles ward.

"I don't know how to afford this treatment. If this continues, I will have no choice but to sell my land."

Aslam, a resident of Majhbari village in Gopalganj’s Kotalipara Upazila, was born with non-functioning legs. He supports a six-member family by driving an engine-run rickshaw van.

His child fell ill a week ago, experiencing a high fever and severe respiratory distress.

Initially treated at the Gopalganj district hospital, Tajim was referred to Dhaka as his condition worsened, and was admitted to the hospital last Saturday.

The financial strain has been immediate and crushing.

The family has already spent nearly Tk 40,000 within three days of ICU admission, on top of Tk 15,000 previously spent on local medical care.

Aslam has already exhausted his modest life savings and borrowed heavily from relatives.

"I managed with what little I had, but now I am completely broke," Aslam said.

"We don't understand how measles became this severe. If the government does not subsidise treatment for these diseases, it is impossible for people like us to survive. We are having to buy almost everything from pharmacies outside the hospital at exorbitant prices."

Tajim's mother Hasna Hena could barely hold back tears.

"Our baby is in very bad shape. We are doing everything humanly possible. The rest is up to Almighty Allah."

Physicians at the hospital said the expensive medication prescribed for Tajim is a last-resort measure to save the infant's life.