Emergency Measures Launched as Measles Cases Surge in KP

News Desk 

Peshawar: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah has taken serious notice of the escalating measles situation in the province.

He has called for immediate action to address the issue. The minister has requested a comprehensive report from the Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), aiming to vaccinate approximately six million children aged 0-11 months against nine target diseases, including Childhood Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus Influenzae Type b, Pneumonia, and Measles.

Expressing concern over the measles outbreak, the minister emphasized the importance of vaccinating children at the earliest opportunity.

He highlighted the need for urgent measures to control the spread of measles and instructed the establishment of isolation wards in Medical Teaching Institutions (MTIs).

Additionally, he called for extended working hours at vaccine centers to facilitate measles prevention efforts.

Furthermore, the minister directed the reassignment of vaccinators from Medical Store Depots (MSK) to the supervision of District Health Officers (DHO).

He also ordered the immediate formation of a provincial outbreak committee, chaired by Director EPI Dr Arif, to provide emergency briefings on the measles situation.

Providing updates on the vaccination efforts, the Director EPI informed the minister about the Bird Dose Initiative, which has established vaccine centers in hospitals, including labor rooms. Over 100,000 newborns have already been vaccinated through these centers, which operate round-the-clock.

According to the latest statistics provided by the Director EPI, there have been 3,889 suspected cases of measles, with 1,445 confirmed cases and 22 deaths. Children between the ages of two and five are the most affected group.

Outbreak response activities are currently underway in 118 union councils across 24 districts of the province, with Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Swabi, and Dir Lower being the most affected districts.

In conclusion, the minister reiterated the urgency of tackling the measles epidemic and emphasized the importance of vaccination in controlling its spread.