Dhaka, May 4 -- Eight-month-old Alif has been receiving oxygen through a tube. He lies in his grandfather's lap, barely moving.

Measles rashes have spread across his body, leaving him exhausted. His parents look helpless.

At 2:30pm on Monday, they were at the emergency department of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute.

Alif's mother, Tonni, said: "There are no beds available here, so they are not admitting anyone. They asked us to go somewhere else. We have been looking, but we cannot find a hospital bed anywhere. I have no idea what I should do now."

On Mar 23, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued an emergency directive saying no hospital in the country would be allowed to turn away patients with measles or m...