GHOTKI
At least three children have died in a deadly measles outbreak in the village of Jan Mohammad Mehar in Dherki, while 10 others have been hospitalised.
The deceased children were identified as Amir Ali, Bismillah and a young girl, Hazuran Bibi, whose deaths have sent shockwaves through the local community.
Residents of the area have appealed to health authorities to take immediate notice of the situation and establish emergency vaccination camps to prevent further loss of life.
They urged officials to launch a door-to-door immunisation drive in the village to protect vulnerable children.
Health experts have warned that Pakistan is facing a serious measles crisis, with the country recording the second-highest number of cases globally after Yemen this year.
More than 12,000 cases and at least 125 deaths have been reported so far, and the situation is expected to worsen if timely intervention is not made. Dr Khalid Shafi of the Pakistan Paediatric Association said that vaccination against preventable diseases is every child’s basic right, and the government is striving to ensure coverage, but the lack of cooperation from parents remains a major challenge.
“It is criminal negligence on the part of parents to miss routine immunisation doses for their children,” he said, adding that parental support could directly improve children’s health outcomes and curb the spread of the disease.
Health officials have been urged to intensify awareness campaigns and ensure the availability of vaccines in remote and underserved areas to prevent further outbreaks.
