Deadly disease: Measles claims two lives

Doctor claims unqualified medical practitioners in area are spreading rumors of penetration of disease.

GHALLANAI:

Measles reportedly claimed the lives of two minors in Ambar tehsil of Lower Mohmand Agency.

According to political administration officials who confirmed the incident through local sources on Thursday, the children belonged to Shahar Guli area.

When contacted, Extended Programme for Immunisation In-charge Dr Shabbir revealed the disease has spread in the area and immunisation teams have been dispatched on the advice of Mohmand Agency political agent. He added the teams are currently engaged in vaccinating children.

The doctor refused to divulge the exact death toll from the disease. He, however, complained of a lack of proper medical facilities in the area, adding community health centres are still not functional.

He also claimed unqualified medical practitioners in the area are spreading rumours of penetration of the disease, and that such deaths are mostly occurring due to severe cold weather.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2014.