The World Health Organisation (WHO) acting head in Pakistan, Dr Nima Saeed Abid on Thursday warned the country against a rising number of measles cases because of poor immunisation coverage across the country, saying only 59 percent of minors in Punjab had been vaccinated so far.
Addressing a news conference, Dr Nima said food insecurity as well as substandard food were the main problems being faced by the Pakistani children, adding that this was making the situation worse.
He said international stakeholders were well aware of the situation and had recently held a sitting to review the scenario in Pakistan.
“There are various programmes under progress at the provincial level in this connection,” Dr Nima said, adding however that the need of the hour was creating awareness regarding the disease among rural women and children.
The WHO’s acting head was of the view that international health entities had expressed concerns over the rise of measles in Pakistan.
Regarding polio, Dr Nima said the situation worst than measles.
“Pakistan is rated among those countries where the polio situation is not much hopeful,” he said, adding attacks on polio teams were contributing a lot to the deteriorating situation.
He said poor vaccine and vaccination to the less number of children was also major issue following which the measles in Pakistan was on the rise and would be mounting up.
To a question, the doctor said over 500 minors had lost their lives to measles in the past one year.