Preventable deaths: As epidemic spreads, three children die of measles

Limited number of BHUs in Torgarh are also short of medicine, trained staff

MANSEHRA: While the national focus remains on fighting polio, a number of other vaccine-preventable diseases continue to take the lives of children due to the government’s inability, or lack of interest, in protecting citizens from these diseases.

Three children have died of measles in Torghar district, while many more in different parts of the district are reportedly afflicted with the disease, villagers and elected representatives told the media on Sunday.

The villagers said that the deadly epidemic broke out in Judba and Darbani tehsils last week. The first known victim was a two-to-three year old girl named Rehana, who died in Judba, the district headquarters of Torghar.

Soon after, two boys between

the ages of one and three years, later identified as Waleed and Shakeel, also died of measles, while many others are being treated locally, as the underdeveloped district has limited healthcare facilities.

“Yes, two children died in Darbani village and one in Judba, and yes, many others have been taken ill with symptoms of measles,” said Gul Taj Akazai, a member of the Torghar District Council, when asked to confirm the incidents. Abdu Rauf, the Darbani Village Council nazim, also confirmed the reports.

They criticised the local health department, explaining that Basic Health Units (BHU) in the area were short of medicines and trained staff, forcing 60 per cent of villagers to rely on ‘traditional medicine’, while many others take their children to Mansehra or other cities with hospitals. “BHUs in our district are even short of measles vaccine, which has aggravated the risk,” said Akazai, adding that when he telephoned the district health officer (DHO), the official did not attend the call or make any arrangements to address the situation.

Zahid Khan, a rights activist from Torghar, also blamed the outbreak of measles in the district on the DHO and his staff.

A doctor, while requesting anonymity, also confirmed the news of a measles outbreak, but said that the situation was not out of control and patients were being provided with the required treatment.

Meanwhile when approached for comment, Torghar District Health Officer Dr Anees did not respond to multiple calls and text messages.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2016.