Poor response: ‘The measles outbreak is worse than the floods’
Adviser to CM for relief says number of cases are twice those reported.
Adviser to CM for relief says number of cases are twice those reported. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
KARACHI:
Haleem Adil Sheikh, the adviser to the chief minister for relief, is livid that government officials are not realising the fact that the measles epidemic, in which around 600 children have lost their life so far, is a major disaster that must be tackled.
“This is a disaster worse than the floods because of the poor response of relief agencies,” said Sheikh at a press conference on Friday. He added that medical support was not available for most sick children. “The number of deaths are more than twice that reported.”
Measles, which has turned into an epidemic in Sindh, is caused by the Rubeola virus and can affect anybody who is not immune, though most cases involve children. According to the provincial government, the eight worst-hit districts are Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Larkana, Qamber-Shadadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Kashmore. A large number of cases have also been reported in Karachi and Hyderabad.
The minister showed a video of his visit to different areas of the province as evidence of the fact that not enough has been done and a lot of sick children are waiting for relief. He said government officials and all departments should take responsibility and start coordinating with one another. He also accused doctors and districts’ administrations of providing inaccurate data to save their own jobs.
Food should be sent to the worst-hit areas as those who are malnourished are more susceptible to disaease, Shaikh said, adding that the government must also provide compensation to the sick people and their families.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2013.
Haleem Adil Sheikh, the adviser to the chief minister for relief, is livid that government officials are not realising the fact that the measles epidemic, in which around 600 children have lost their life so far, is a major disaster that must be tackled.
“This is a disaster worse than the floods because of the poor response of relief agencies,” said Sheikh at a press conference on Friday. He added that medical support was not available for most sick children. “The number of deaths are more than twice that reported.”
Measles, which has turned into an epidemic in Sindh, is caused by the Rubeola virus and can affect anybody who is not immune, though most cases involve children. According to the provincial government, the eight worst-hit districts are Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Larkana, Qamber-Shadadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Kashmore. A large number of cases have also been reported in Karachi and Hyderabad.
The minister showed a video of his visit to different areas of the province as evidence of the fact that not enough has been done and a lot of sick children are waiting for relief. He said government officials and all departments should take responsibility and start coordinating with one another. He also accused doctors and districts’ administrations of providing inaccurate data to save their own jobs.
Food should be sent to the worst-hit areas as those who are malnourished are more susceptible to disaease, Shaikh said, adding that the government must also provide compensation to the sick people and their families.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2013.