Karachi: After dengue, the epidemic of diphtheria and measles has risen in Karachi, 1000 cases have been reported in recent days, medical experts have decided to conduct an awareness campaign to prevent this epidemic.
According to the details, a press conference was organized by the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to raise awareness about diphtheria and measles at the Karachi Press Club. In the press conference, Project Director of EPI, Dr. Naeem Rajput, while giving a conference about the Immunization Sindh Program, said that ten to eleven cases of diphtheria and more than a thousand cases of measles have been reported this year.
He said that more than 3 lakh children have been vaccinated, 35 thousand children have been given additional measles vaccines while they will start the second phase of vaccination in May.
Dr. Naeem Rajput said that Sindh needs 3,000 vaccinators while there are 3,500 vaccinators. If there is a lack of funds at the federal level, then the recommendation at the provincial level should be approved to prevent this epidemic.
PDEPI said that wherever there are outbreaks, we go and work, district officers have also been informed that 60% of the children affected by this epidemic had not been vaccinated.
Pakistan Pedia Truck Association Sindh General Secretary Dr. Khalid Shafi said that measles will continue to spread until the vaccination rate is 90%, the state has the responsibility to protect every citizen, the government should provide resources, in Sindh. More vaccine centers should be opened, he said, adding that parents are failing to protect their children.
According to medical experts, a total of 122 outbreaks were reported in Sindh in the year 2023. Measles outbreak was reported in 21 districts yesterday. During case response activities in 2023-24, 351852 children under 5 years of age were vaccinated with doses of MR vaccine. In 2024, the total number of suspected measles cases reported up to the fifth week is 1046.
Dr. Iqbal Memon, the head of the Department of Pediatrics, expressed concern and said that measles has increased by 17% compared to the past.
Representatives of Pediatric Associations, Pakistan Medical Association, Pediatrics also participated in the press conference along with Director EPI. Dr. Khalid Shafi, Iqbal Memon, Ismail Memon, Dr. Sohail, Dr. Khalil Memon, Dr. Mehboob were also present in the press conference.
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