LHC forms committee to probe measles deaths

13 Jun, 2013

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Thursday formed a three-member committee to probe measles related deaths.

The court directed the committee to ascertain cause of deaths, shortage of funds, quality of vaccine and capacity of staff besides determining responsible.

The court directed committee to complete work within ten days and submit a report by June 25.

Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan passed the orders while hearing a petition filed by Judicial Activism Panel, a public interest litigation firm, against measles outbreak.

Earlier, the health officials appeared before the court and submitted a report on steps taken to control measles.

The secretary health department through report submitted that measles vaccine campaign would be initiated in 18 high risk districts from June 24 and it would be backed by strong mass media campaign.

The report further said that it was the top priority of the government to control measles and government would take all possible steps for the purpose.

It further submitted that the government had ordered an inquiry to know reasons for current outbreak and fix responsibility.

However, the court expressed dissatisfaction on steps taken by the health department to control measles. The court observed that the department wasted time instead of doing practical work.

The court stopped committee formed by the government from work and constituted a new committee which would include the district coordination officer and Home secretary besides another member.

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