Lack of vaccines: Diphtheria outbreak leaves five more dead

BANNU: At least five more infants have died following a diphtheria outbreak, taking the number of fatalities in the past few weeks to 27.

Following the military operation in North Waziristan, locals moved to Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat increasing the risk of spreading the disease.  “The lives of thousands of displaced children are at risk, as the vaccine isn’t available in hospitals. The district health officer for Bannu has repeatedly written to the K-P authorities but the requests have fallen on deaf ears,” said local Malik Habibullah.

It’s shameful for the health minister who had claimed to the international community that they have worked hard to end this disease but the risk of contracting the disease hasn’t lessened in the southern districts and North Waziristan, he said. He requested the federal government to ensure the vaccine reached the hospitals in the settled districts and Fata.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2016.