BAHAWALPUR: Punjab health department has swung into action after the measles death toll of children rose to six in two villages of Ahmedpur East tehsil.

Two girls had died of measles at Uch Mughlan village near Uch Sharif in Ahmedpur East tehsil on Monday, while four more children succumbed to the disease in Tibbi Izzat village during the last 72 hours, as per sources.

Dawn has learnt that taking notice of the situation, the health department has sent a team headed by Health Services Additional Director Dr Samra that visited the affected villages where medical camps have been set up to administer measles vaccination to the children by the district health authority (DHA).

Dr Samra, after visiting the medical camps, expressed her dissatisfaction over the measures taken to prevent measles outbreak in the area. She directed the organisers to improve the vaccination arrangements at these camps, where the local officials of health departments were also present.

Health dept team finds vaccination arrangements unsatisfactory

It is being feared that due to insufficient measures by the health department the disease may spread to adjacent villages in the area and affect more children.

The health authorities at Ahmedpur East have started providing extra beds at Uch health centres, along with supply of adequate emergency drugs for those affected by the disease.

Meanwhile, a meeting of health officials presided over by Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Ahmed Jappa here on Wednesday, reviewed the measles vaccination campaign in Ahmedpur East tehsil. The DC ordered the officials concerned to intensify anti-measles drive in the district, along with infants’ immunisation against 12 diseases.

He warned that the health officials failing to bring improvement in the on-going campaign would have to face strict departmental action.

The DC was informed that so far 400 persons have been tested for hepatitis and those found negative were administered the vaccine as a preventive measure.

CANAL BREACH: Agriculture land, including hundreds of acres of cotton crop, was submerged due to a 30-foot wide breach in the canal near Duranwali pull in Lodhran district on Wednesday.

According to Lodhran Rescue 1122 spokesperson, on receipt of an emergency call, the rescuers along with heavy machinery rushed to the scene and after nine-hour long operation managed to plug the breach. The locals said despite being informed of the breach, the irrigation department officials concerned remained unresponsive.

ANIMALS SALE POINTS: The district administration made functional six points for sale of sacrificial animals, besides as many mandis, across the district.

The administration has directed the officials of livestock and health departments to also set up desks to facilitate animals traders in case of any medical emergency.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2023