Number of measles-affected children on the rise

The disease of measles continued to haunt Lahorites, as over 20 more patients were admitted to different hospitals in the provincial metropolis on Saturday, taking the tally to over 300 on Saturday. As many as 25 patients facing measles were still under treatment at Mayo Hospital, seven were admitted to Services Hospital, 27 in Children's Hospital, four to General Hospital and six to Jinnah Hospital apart from in private healthcare centres in the city, sources said.
According to the sources, the number of measles-affected children is increasing day by day that shows the disease has taken an ugly turn. Over 300 measles-related cases have so far surfaced in the Punjab capital. The representatives of Young Doctors Association (YDA) are of the view that a preventable disease's epidemic had exposed the good governance of the incumbent government.
It may be noted that so far 12 deaths were reported in Punjab due to measles including five in Rajanpur, three in Lahore, two in Gujranwala and one in Kasur. Official sources claimed that injections for the vaccination of measles are available in all the government hospitals in districts and health centres and there is no shortage of vaccine anywhere. Besides, 0.9 million dozes of measles' vaccine are available in the stock of health department and 2 million more dozes of vaccine will be reached by February 8.
While presiding over a meeting held to review the current situation of measles disease in the province, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Health, Khawaja Salman Rafique, has said that provincial government and health department are working with full zeal and all measures are being taken for the prevention of measles disease.
With a view to reviewing the cases of measles surveillance and the situation of diseases, the provincial government had appointed provincial monitors, who are keeping vigilant eye on the situation. Khawaja Salman Rafique made an appeal to the parents to have injected first dose of their children in the age of 9 months and second on 15 months so that their children could be saved from the measles disease.