Mortalities in rural Sindh: Six children die of measles and tetanus in two days

More than 300 children died in a measles outbreak in the region in 2013

SUKKUR:

Children living in desert areas continue to fall prey to various diseases. In 2013, more than 300 children died in a measles outbreak and once again the lives of children seem to be under threat as six children have died during the last two days due to measles and tetanus in Salehpat, some 40 kilometres from Sukkur.

According to residents of different villages of Salehpat, including Ali Nawaz Bhambhro, Bachal Bhambhro, Motan Bhambhro, Behan Bhambhro and others, six children have died during the last two days due to measles and tetanus. The villagers, Allah Dad Bhambhro, Allah Warayo Bhambhro and others, told reporters that different diseases, including, measles, tetanus, whooping cough, pneumonia and skin rash have become quite common in their area.

Recalling the tragedy of 2013, the villagers said more than 300 children had died alone due to the measles outbreak, adding that at that time, health authorities had sprung into action and dispatched teams of doctors and vaccinators but after that nobody cared about providing regular medical facilities to residents. They further said that after the six children's deaths, a team of doctors visited the area on Monday and vaccinated children in some villages.



Talking about the government's apathy, villagers explained that there is only one Basic Health Unit in Salehpat, which is a taluka headquarter, but it often remains without male and female medical officers. Consequently, villagers have to rush to Rohri taluka hospital in cases of emergency, they said, adding that because of it being a desert area, travelling takes more time. They demanded of the government to establish a taluka hospital in Salehpat to provide better medical facilities to locals.

Talking to The Express Tribune at his office, Sukkur District Health Officer Dr Abdul Wahab Mahar confirmed the deaths and claimed the children did not die due to any disease but because of malnutrition. He claimed that no reports about tetanus, whooping cough or pneumonia have been received from the area. However, a few cases of measles have been reported from the area, but it is under control and therefore could not be termed as an outbreak like that of 2013, he claimed.

According to him, living conditions in desert areas are quite different from those in other areas. Admitting the lack of facilities in the desert, he said with changing weather, diseases like measles occur in these areas. "But we are very vigilant this time and therefore soon after receiving information about the deaths, a team of doctors and vaccinators including paediatricians were sent there," he claimed. He said the medical team visited different villages and besides vaccinating people against different diseases, provided treatment to children suffering from malnutrition and measles.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2016.