7-Month-Old Twins Hit by Measles: Fatema Dies, Khadija Still Fighting

Shahana Begum was traveling across Dhaka with her twin daughters, Khadija and Fatema. In early April, both girls fell sick with fever, cold, and cough, and were first admitted to Bangladesh Neonatal Hospital in Narayanganj. As their condition became serious, they were taken to several hospitals in Dhaka for better treatment.

On April 23, Fatema passed away while receiving care in the PICU of the same hospital. Her sister Khadija survived but has not fully recovered yet. Speaking over the phone, their mother said she never expected to lose Fatema, recalling how the child was still smiling and playing with toys even in the hospital.

Family members said the children had to be moved between multiple hospitals, and at one point, all siblings were admitted separately. Both twins were suffering from complications after measles. While Khadija showed some improvement and was discharged, Fatema’s condition kept worsening, leading to her death.

Khadija has now returned home after partial recovery from measles and pneumonia, but she is still dealing with fever, cough, and new rash symptoms. After losing one child, Shahana Begum remains deeply worried about her surviving daughter.