Public health implications of an unfolding infectious disease crisis among Rohingya in Bangladesh

Complex cultural, political, and socioeconomic factors remain major obstacles to solving the infectious disease crisis of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Using Cox’s Bazar and makeshift settlement camps as context, this essay presents evidence from published literature that establishes the key historical events that produced the current policies in effect, thereby leading to an exponential increase in infectious disease prevalence and a high degree of public health significance in Bangladesh. Epidemiological studies of infectious diseases in this region have traced the cause to ineffective resource management. Available evidence reveals several possible solutions to rectify current policies that govern water and sanitation, food and nutrition, shelter and non-food items, access to health services, and medical education. However, traditional solutions such as identification cards, food rations, repatriation for refugees, and resettlement have not produced beneficial outcomes for any of the parties involved, as local economic opportunity and freedom of movement are not granted to the Rohingya peoples for fear of resource drainage. The inefficient supply chain management of these resources must be addressed in order to produce long-term relief from infectious diseases for refugees. By including local leaders of the community in policy meetings, the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations can develop a viable public health strategy to combat the spread of infectious diseases among Rohingya in Bangladesh