Balochistan: Two more children die from measles

Total number of cases rise to 16 in Balochistan this year

QUETTA:

Two children died after suffering from measles in the Uthal area of Lasbela on Wednesday, raising the total number of cases in Balochistan to 16 this year, officials said.

“Two children died and 10 others are admitted in the hospital. They are in a separate ward of Uthal Hospital and out of danger,” Medial Superintendent Uthal Hospital, Dr. Hassanullah confirmed.

According to medical officials, at least 12 children were brought to the hospital after suffering from the contagious disease on Wednesday. The affected children are residents of a remote village Kangra in Uthal, with a relatively small population mainly living in mud houses.



The preventable disease has so far claimed 16 lives and affected more than 400 children in Balochistan since April 2014.

Despite the outbreak of measles, which according to the health department has claimed 43 lives and affected more than 700 children in the province last year alone, the government has failed to launch vaccination campaigns to deal with the epidemic.

With the toll rising in the province, the government is yet to allocate funds in order to launch an anti-measles drive to prevent the disease from spreading.

Balochistan Health Minister, Rehman Saleh Baloch claims that the health department has finalised its plan regarding the anti-measles campaign, which is expected to be launched later this month.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2014.