Diphtheria threat

Karachi faces a diphtheria outbreak, with 28 child deaths in 2023, exposing gaps in vaccination and critical care.

Pakistan's healthcare system continues to show cracks as another preventable tragedy unfolds in Karachi. This year, 28 children have lost their lives to diphtheria - a bacterial disease that could have been easily avoided through proper vaccination. The Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital has reported 166 cases of diphtheria so far in 2023, with more than 10 children currently receiving treatment. Despite diphtheria being part of routine immunisation schedules, gaps in vaccine coverage have allowed this deadly disease to claim more young lives.

Perhaps the most damning aspect of this crisis is the unavailability of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (DAT), the only effective treatment, anywhere in Sindh, including Karachi. The cost of DAT treatment, approximately Rs250,000 per patient, is beyond the reach of most families. Even more shocking is the fact that while many countries have eradicated diphtheria, Pakistan continues to grapple with outbreaks due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure and inconsistent vaccination campaigns. For years, healthcare experts have stressed the need for comprehensive vaccination drives, yet the current situation indicates that these efforts have been inconsistent and inadequately managed. Ensuring consistent vaccine coverage is the first and most crucial step. While vaccines for diphtheria are available and included in routine immunisation schedules, many areas continue to experience low vaccination rates due to a lack of awareness and distrust in public healthcare. Building trust within communities and improving outreach programmes are vital for addressing this gap.

Furthermore, access to critical treatments, such as DAT, also needs immediate reform. The fact that this life-saving antidote is not available in the entire province of Sindh is a testament to the inadequacies of the healthcare supply chain. Emergency stockpiling of essential medicines, coupled with improved coordination between federal and provincial health departments, is necessary to prevent further loss of lives. The country cannot afford to continue neglecting these systemic healthcare issues.