VEHARI, May 22: The measles epidemic has yet to recede as more cases emerge in parts of Punjab.

Two patients died and 16 others were hospitalised in Vehari city during the last 24 hours. Lachi Bibi and Azad Khan died due to measles complications. Their parents claimed that their children were treated by local doctors with little experience of handling such cases.

Sixteen measles patients were admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital’s children ward. Dr Humera Arshad told Dawn that six to seven measles patients were being admitted to the hospital daily and they all were discharged after proper treatment.

There are some complaints that the doctors are not properly treating the measles patients.

Haider Ali’s mother told Dawn that the staff at the DHQ hospital emergency discharged the patients after vaccination.

An official claims the measles vaccine is substandard and not preventing the disease.

SHEIKHUPURA: Muridke city’s Ahmadpura locality has been severely hit by the measles as five children have died and more than 10 others are admitted to hospitals in Lahore during the last one week.

Reema, 4, and Maryam, 2, daughters of Akram Kharal, died of the measles a week ago after they were hospitalised in Muridke and Lahore. Akram said he first took his daughters to the THQ hospital from where they were shifted to Lahore.

He said there was no vaccine available at the THQ hospital.

Naibah, 6, daughter of Nawaz Kharal, and Shaban, 3, son of Rai Ikramul Haq, also died at the THQ hospital.

THQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Riaz Husain said the higher authorities had failed to supply vaccine to the health facility.