Measles outbreak: Two children dead, dozens admitted to hospitals in Lakki

The children had not been vaccinated for measles, says doctor.

LAKKI MARWAT:

Two children succumbed to measles, while dozens others suffering from the disease were rushed to different hospitals in the district on Tuesday.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Government City Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Ghulam Ali Khan said six-month-old Obaidullah and two-year-old Afia lost their lives after contracting measles pneumonitis – a more severe form of the disease.

“The children had not been vaccinated for measles,” he added. Dr Ghulam explained that measles pneumonitis was extremely difficult to treat, adding that it was the duty of the officials of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) to vaccinate all children.

Responding to demands for mobile units by the residents of Wandha Painda Khan village – where the measles outbreak took place – Dr Ghulam said the hospital adminstration had no authority to do so, adding that it was the Executive District Officer’s duty send the units to remote villages in the district.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2012.