HC Petition Seeks Probe Into Measles Deaths

A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Sunday seeking Tk 2 crore in compensation for the families of each of the 352 children who reportedly died during the recent measles outbreak in Bangladesh.

The petition also called for a judicial directive to establish specialised measles treatment units with ICU, PICU, and advanced diagnostic facilities at all district hospitals and upazila health complexes across the country.

In addition, the petition sought the formation of a 10-member investigation committee comprising representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). The proposed committee would investigate the causes of the outbreak, identify administrative failures and responsible individuals, and submit its findings to the court within 30 days.

The writ further requested the authorities to provide the court, within seven days, with a detailed affidavit on the current stock, preservation, and supply systems of measles and rabies vaccines nationwide.

The petition was filed by Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Humayun Kabir Pallob and others on behalf of the human rights organisation Law and Life Foundation Trust.

The respondents include the secretary of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Home Ministry secretary, the DGHS director general, and the director of IEDCR.

The petition was submitted with permission from the High Court bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury.

According to the petition, the measles outbreak, which began in March 2026, has already claimed the lives of 352 children, while thousands more have reportedly been infected across the country.

The petition described the outbreak as one of the most severe public health crises in recent years, alleging that the deaths were preventable and resulted from failures in vaccine procurement, supply management, and healthcare preparedness.

It claimed that disruptions began after the government replaced the long-standing UNICEF-supported vaccine procurement system with an open tender process, affecting the supply and nationwide immunisation programme.

The petition also alleged that international warnings regarding possible vaccine shortages and outbreak risks were ignored, contributing to the worsening situation.

It further stated that inadequate ICU and PICU facilities at district and upazila-level hospitals prevented many critically ill children from receiving timely treatment. Families reportedly had to move from one hospital to another in search of emergency care, while several children died without access to intensive care support.

Before filing the writ, a legal notice was sent to the relevant authorities on May 5, requesting urgent intervention. As no effective measures were taken and the outbreak continued to spread, the petitioners moved the High Court seeking immediate judicial action.