LAKKI MARWAT: The district health department with the support of partner organisations has vaccinated around 56,000 children against measles during the last three days, claimed a health official on Friday.

Speaking at a meeting of district polio eradication committee, EPI coordinator Dr Hafeezullah claimed that the anti-measles drive was successful as the health department achieved its target. He said that the measles-related deaths of a few children were because of their parents’ refusal to get them vaccinated against the disease.

“The parents whose children died of measles are still reluctant to vaccinate their other children,” the official said. He said that over 50 samples collected from different parts of the district tested positive for measles, prompting the health department to launch a special campaign against the disease.

Special drive launched after 50 samples test positive for the disease

Deputy commissioner Mohammad Bakhtiar Khan who chaired the meeting expressed concern over the death of children and asked the health authorities to provide data of reluctant parents so that the administration could initiate action against them. “The refusal from vaccination on part of parents is taking lives of innocent children and this will not be allowed,” he made clear.

The meeting also reviewed arrangements for the upcoming anti-polio campaign starting from June 20. District nazim Ishfaq Ahmad, DHO Dr Abdul Ghaffar and DEO Haziqur Rehman also attended the meeting.

The deputy commissioner expressed concern over the increasing number of refusal cases and asked the local authorities concerned to bring such cases to zero level in the coming campaign.

ARRESTED: Police on Friday claimed to have arrested two proclaimed offenders and over 50 other suspects during a search operation in Naurang town.

An official said that a police party headed by SHO Javed Khan raided suspected hideouts of anti-social elements in Muslim Bagh and other localities of the town. He said that the law enforcers arrested two proclaimed offenders identified as Safeerullah and Gul Nawaz who were wanted in murder and attempted murder cases.

He said that the police also arrested 56 suspects and seized two hand grenades, two detonators, a pistol and rifle during the operation. He said that separate cases had been registered against the arrested people.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2016