"There were more deaths attributed to the virus last year compared to the number this year," PHOTO: FILE
Sindh government is initiating a 13-day anti-measles campaign in all districts across the province from Monday (today). All arrangements, including the provision of security to health workers, have been finalised, revealed the provincial health minister, Dr Sagheer Ahmed.
Briefing the media on Monday, Dr Ahmed confirmed that 14 children have died due to the disease in different parts of the province, adding that 133 others were reportedly affected by the viral disease.
"There were more deaths attributed to the virus last year compared to the number this year," he claimed, saying that the vaccination drive was aimed to minimise the number of affected children of all age groups.
Over 13 million children, between the ages of six months to 10 years, will be vaccinated in all parts of Sindh, including Karachi. Dr Ahmed said that 8,000 teams of volunteers will participate in the drive, adding that each team will comprise four members. He said that foolproof security would be provided to the teams. "All district administrations have been directed to provide security to the teams."
The campaign will be conducted in 1,120 Union Councils of 29 districts where temporary centers have also been set up, while the health workers will also conduct a door-to-door drive.
Conflicting reports
On the other hand, the former relief adviser and chairperson of the Pakistan Relief Foundation (PRF), Haleem Adil Sheikh, warned that the anti-measles drive will not be successful unless the vaccination centres were exempted from load-shedding. "At least 58 children have died because of measles," he claimed. "The drive won't be successful until and unless vaccination centers are exempted from power outages." Sheikh explained that the vaccines needed to be stored at cold temperatures and the provincial government should ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, Sheikh said that 41 children were admitted in Mithi's hospital while 25 others were admitted in Chachro's taluka hospital. "There are several children affected by the disease in Sajawal but they are not being treated at all."
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2014.
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