Six children die of measles in Dadu

Families claim negligence of local health authorities

HYDERABAD: A suspected spread of the measles virus claimed the lives of six children and ailed seven others in Gorakh Town Colony in Johi taluka of Dadu district. The deaths, which have not been officially confirmed, happened over the last week, according to the bereaved families.

Urs Aalkani, a resident of the colony, told the local media that his two daughters and son have died due to the virus. "My children weren't immunised," he claimed. He said that the local health authorities were informed about the virus but no health team visited the area.

The deceased children were identified as seven-year-old Kulsoom, five-year-old Salma, four-year-old Saba Aalkani, three-year-old Zulekha Aalkani, three-year-old Uzair Aalkani and one-year-old Tahira Aalkani. The deceased belonged to the same family.

The acting district health officer, Dr Zahid Ahmed Dawach, denied knowledge of the measles-caused deaths while talking to the local media. According to him, the Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) is responsible for the vaccination in that area.



He said that a team led by the taluka health officer Dr Juman Bahuto will be sent to the locality to ascertain the cause of the deaths and immunise other children. "We will take action if negligence on anyone's part is established," he assured.

PPHI District Manager Muhammad Arif Abbassi told the local media that he has yet to verify that the deaths were caused by measles. He claimed that a team of the PPHI immunised around 500 children in the locality last month. "If negligence of any vaccinator surfaces, we will take action."