Measles vaccination in Balochistan

Letter December 05, 2016
It's been four years since Balochistan’s Health Department has failed to conduct an anti-measles campaign

TURBAT: It has almost been four years since Balochistan’s Health Department has failed to conduct an anti-measles campaign in Balochistan. Due to this, many cities of Balochistan, including Zhob, are being affected by measles, and especially children. But there is no one to have mercy on these young children.

There is also widespread denial of symptoms in the province and they are written off as dehydration, diarrhoea or food poisoning. In the recent four months, nine children have died because they were not vaccinated. People are waiting for the health authorities to come and help them but where is the government and why is it silent? It is the responsibility of the authorities concerned to launch an anti-measles campaign in Balochistan to protect young children. It is unfortunate that the Balochistan government has not approved the budget for a measles campaign. The health department should act swiftly and launch an anti-measles campaign in Balochistan.

Sana Baloch

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2016.

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