Maryam slams health department over measles deaths in Pattoki

LAHORE: The Punjab chief minister has criticised the provincial health department over the death of children due to measles in Pattoki.

“Innocent lives have been lost due to the negligence and incompetence of health department,” said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz as she took a serious notice of the death of children due to measles in Pattoki.

Under the direction of CM, provincial ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique, and Khawaja Imran Nazir visited the Basic Health Unit of Kot Haq Nawaz in suburban Kabirwala.

The ministers obtained information from the parents of measles-affected children and directed stern action against those found responsible for this negligence.

Under the direction from Maryam Nawaz, the number of ‘Clinic on Wheels’ and ‘Field Hospitals’ has been increased in the measles-affected areas, and a special ward has been established for treatment of measles-affected children in the tehsil headquarters hospital.

The CM also sought an immediate report from the health secretary on the causes behind the increasing number of measles outbreak incidents.

She directed officials of the health department to provide the best treatment facilities to children suffering from measles. She said that precious innocent lives have been lost due to the negligence and inefficiency of the health department.

She asserted that stern punishment would be awarded to those found responsible for this negligence. She directed monitoring of other infectious diseases, including measles, daily.

She directed that no negligence should occur with regard to provision of treatment to the affected children.

Maryam ordered availability of vaccinations for all diseases, including measles, at all health centres and government hospitals across Punjab.