Lifesaving jabs

The death of a child is one of the greatest tragedies a nation can bear. But if that death were preventable, it asks pointed questions and demands accountability. Asking similar questions this year is the news of at least 144 children losing their lives to measles and diphtheria, both of which are easily preventable diseases via vaccinations.

It is true that no parent wants their child to suffer through an illness. But with the Pakistani government's relentless efforts at distributing and administering vaccines to children across the country, we are forced to wonder: where exactly does the implementation gap exist? Is it a lack of awareness or a lack of urgency?

Halfway across the world, England is facing a similar problem. Their public health experts claim that parents of young children have reduced access to convenient medical treatment and fewer face-to-face contacts with doctors which has led to an epidemic of vaccine-negligence.

But with multiple mobile vans equipped with vaccines, door-to-door immunisation services and walk-in clinics, Pakistan cannot exactly claim a similar reason despite the same problem. Even nomadic families who are not in contact with the healthcare system are sought and treated via Pakistan's Migrant and Mobile Population (MMP) strategy.

Vaccine-negligence does exist, but not because of widespread inaccessibility. Parents here often do not treat immunisation routines with the importance that they deserve, evading them instead on the pretext of opting for 'natural' and 'herbal' practices. Moreover, the time between the first symptom and the first doctor's visit is also needlessly prolonged, sometimes due to financial stringency and other times due to carelessness.

The loss of 144 innocent lives should serve as a wake-up call so loud that there is no space left for second thoughts regarding children's healthcare. If vaccines were prioritised, 144 souls would possibly still be here - with dreams and aspirations of growing old.