Bangladesh is preparing to expand the use of a low-cost respiratory support technology known as “bubble CPAP” across the country in an effort to reduce child deaths linked to measles and pneumonia.
The initiative will be implemented jointly by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the international health research organisation icddr,b, following a high-level meeting held at the ministry on Wednesday.
During the discussions, icddr,b representatives presented evidence supporting the wider adoption of the technology, particularly in response to a recent rise in measles cases. They highlighted that young children—especially those between six months and three years—are among the most vulnerable, with a significant proportion of hospitalised measles patients developing pneumonia.
The “bubble CPAP” system, developed locally, is designed to provide continuous airway pressure to help children breathe more effectively. Health experts at the meeting noted that the device is significantly more affordable than conventional ventilators, with each unit costing roughly Tk300 to produce.
Studies conducted in Bangladesh and Ethiopia have shown that the technology can outperform standard oxygen therapy in treating severe respiratory complications, offering a potentially scalable solution for resource-constrained healthcare settings.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain directed officials to take immediate steps to implement the expansion plan, signalling urgency in addressing child mortality linked to respiratory illness.
A follow-up session involving specialists and hospital directors from more than 30 government facilities was held later in the day, where clinical experts outlined the scientific basis and operational benefits of the technology. Institutions already using “bubble CPAP” reported positive outcomes in reducing mortality among critically ill children.
As part of the rollout, icddr,b will provide technical assistance and training to healthcare providers. The first phase of training is scheduled to begin at the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, with senior clinicians overseeing the process.
Officials from the Health Services Division and the Directorate General of Health Services have been tasked with coordinating the implementation across the country.
Health analysts say the move reflects a broader shift towards cost-effective, locally developed innovations in Bangladesh’s healthcare system, particularly in tackling preventable child deaths linked to infectious diseases.
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