LAHORE:The measles outbreak in the Punjab province continued to escalate, with alarming increases in both suspected and confirmed cases.
Tragically, three children have succumbed to the disease in Multan during the past 24 hours, as reported by the Health Department on Friday. These recent fatalities bring the total number of measles-related deaths among children in Punjab to 30.
On Thursday alone, health authorities identified 321 suspected cases of measles across Punjab. Breakdown of the new cases includes 47 from Lahore, 6 from Gujranwala, 4 from Vehari, 26 from Jhang, 11 from Rahim Yar Khan, and 14 from Multan.
The number of confirmed measles cases in the province has now surged to 3,674. In response to the outbreak, health officials are urging parents to ensure their children receive measles vaccination and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear.
The provincial government is intensifying efforts to control the outbreak, with enhanced vaccination drives and public awareness campaigns aimed at curbing the spread of the disease. Authorities continued to monitor the situation closely as they work to prevent further tragedies and protect the health of children in the Punjab Province.
Punjab govt to audit district health authorities
The Punjab government has announced conducting a comprehensive audit of health authorities across all districts, targeting improvements in vaccination coverage and accountability in healthcare services. Sources in the health department confirmed on Friday that instructions have been issued to Secretary of Health Punjab to initiate this audit.
The decision comes in response to declining vaccination rates, which plummeted from over 90 per cent in 2017 to 68 per cent in 2023. As part of the audit, the Health Department has demanded a five-year record of vaccination coverage from all districts. The review will also focus on identifying and suspending officers from districts exhibiting the poorest performance. Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir emphasised the government’s commitment to accountability, stating, ‘We have decided to conduct a thorough audit and hold employees accountable for their performance. This is crucial for restoring the effectiveness of our health programmes and ensuring public trust.”
Additionally, lists of staff members who failed to perform their duties over the past five years have been requested to facilitate further actions against those responsible for the decline. The audit aims to enhance the efficiency and reliability of health services throughout Punjab. —APP