There is no let up in measles spread in Lahore, as around 80 fresh cases were reported in different hospitals in Lahore. Of these, as many as 23 fresh victims of measles were admitted in Mayo Hospital, 20 in Children's Hospital and rest in other hospitals.
So far, around 34 children died due to measles in Lahore while the number of victims is increasing with every passing day. Secretary Health Punjab Arif Nadeem said that arrangements have been finalised for launching special mass vaccination campaign against measles in the provincial metropolis under which 3 million children of six months to ten years of age will be inoculated.
The health department teams will vaccinate students of all public and private schools of Lahore up to the age of ten years during the campaign, he said, while presiding over a meeting of Medical Superintendents of all government hospitals regarding special mass vaccination campaign against measles in Lahore on Friday.
Additional Secretary Health (Technical) Dr Muhammad Anwar Janjua, Director General Health Punjab Dr Tanvir Ahmad and medical superintendents of all government hospitals of Lahore were present in the meeting. The meeting was informed that the training of the vaccination teams against measles has been completed. The Secretary Health directed that at least four desks should be established in each government hospital for vaccination against measles by seating arrangements should also made for the parents and cool drinking water should also be provided.
Director General Health said that necessary instructions have already been issued to all hospitals in this regard. He said that children will be vaccinated against measles in government hospitals from 8:00am to 5:00pm and no member of vaccination team will avail holiday during this week.
The holiday of Sunday and May first (Labour Day) have also been cancelled. DG Health further informed that mobile teams will select a central place in each Mohallahs and union council for vaccination of children and announcements will be made through loudspeakers of the mosques regarding the arrival of the teams. Moreover, health workers and volunteers will informed the people of the area by paying door to door visit and apprised them of the benefit of vaccination.
Secretary Health directed that the special mass vaccination campaign against measles should be given due publicity and banners should be displayed in union councils and Mohallahs for creating public awareness. Secretary Health directed that zero tolerance should be displayed during the special mass vaccination campaign against measles and stern action should be taken against the officials showing negligence in this regard.
He also ordered strict monitoring of the vaccination teams. Secretary Health also directed Medical Superintendents of the hospitals to pay due attention to the special arrangements for vaccination of children in their hospitals during special mass vaccination campaign against measles and provide maximum facilities to the people. He also stressed upon parents to fully benefit from the free vaccination facilities and get their children immunised against measles.