SHIKARPUR: Three more children died at two villages of Khanpur, due to disease of measles raising the death toll to 21.
According to reports, one identified as Shumaila aged 5 years, and other as Shamshad aged 4 years died at village Abdullah Buriro. 4 years old Nasima, died at village Mor Khan of tehsil Khanpur of Shikarpur.
The heirs of deceased protested and claimed that Health Department Shikarpur has failed to fulfill its responsibilities. They demanded Chief Minister of Sindh, Health Minister and others to take serious notice of the measles eruption in Shikarpur.
Dr Aftab Ahmed said that at least 18 children have died in the Shikarpur district. He said that they have been administering anti measles vaccine for at least 5000 children every day and 600 Lady Health Workers together with 105 Vaccinators are participating in the drive. 60,000 children have been vaccinated so far. He said that they have been facing shortage of skilled staff who could administer anti measles vaccine.
Firstly, 800 children were affected from measles when it erupted in Shikarpur, and 102 children were shifted to Civil Hospital and other health care centres’ for medical supervision while 07 medical camps had been established.
Shikarpur Health Department provided free ambulance service to shift the affected children to health centres’ while separate wards for measles patients were set up at towns Shikarpur, Lakhi Ghulam Shah, Khanpur, Garhi Yasin, Mian-jo-Goth, Chak, Birkan, Madeji and Dakhan of Shikarpur.
Published in Daily Times, March 28th 2018.