Measles on the rise: 3 children dead, 90 cases admitted in hospitals

LAHORE:

Three more children died of measles in the city on Tuesday. Three-month old Abdullah of Ghazi Road died in Children’s Hospital, three-month old Jannat of Islampura also died in Children’s Hospital while two-and-a-half year old Hadiya of GOR II died at Mayo Hospital.

Ninety more cases of measles were admitted in several city hospitals on Tuesday. “We are admitting only the children who need management at the hospital. Other children are examined, given medicine and discharged,” a doctor at Children’s Hospital told The Express Tribune.

“Parents should be careful. School going children should be paid special attention. School staff should ensure that if a child suffers from measles his parents do not send him to school till he has fully recovered,” he said.

Chief Minister Najam Sethi directed that a vigorous public awareness campaign be launched through the media, and cooperation be sought from prayer leaders to urge citizens to adopt preventive measures against measles.

The chief minister was presiding over a high-level meeting at the secretariat which was attended by the Health Minister Salima Hashmi, the chairman of Planning and Development Board, the additional chief secretary, the health secretaries, the vice chancellor of the King Edward Medical University, the director general of health services, and representatives of the World Health Organisation and UNICEF Punjab.

He said the public awareness helpline had been activated and citizens could get relevant information about measles and prevention from other communicable diseases by calling 0800-9900.

Sethi directed that lady health workers should be mobilised and told to provide literature on preventive measures against measles. He said medical experts should provide relevant information to the public against measles, along with taking preventive steps and ensuring proper medical care. He further directed that banners with preventive measures against measles be displayed at public places.

The chief minister directed that an anti-dengue action plan should be effectively implemented. He said special attention should be paid to indoor as well as outdoor surveillance. He directed that mechanical sweeping and larviciding should be ensured. He said special vaccination camps had been set up at railway stations and bus stops so that no child would be deprived of polio vaccination.

The health secretary gave a detailed briefing regarding preventive measures, provision of medical care against dengue and steps taken to control dengue and polio viruses.

He said that the Development Partner Conference would be held in Lahore on April 19 which would be attended by representatives of World Health Organisation, the UNICEF, the Bill Gates Foundation, Rotary International, World Bank and the USAID.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2013.