The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday summoned a Health Department official for May 29 on an application questioning deaths caused by measles.
Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan passed the order on a civil miscellaneous application filed by Judicial Activism Panel in an already pending matter against the measles outbreak.
Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel arguing before the court submitted that frequent deaths by measles were an outcome of low vaccination coverage among children in the country. He put the burden of proof on the findings of global health agencies, donors, local institutions and experts in the backdrop of children’s deaths caused by measles from January 2012 to January 2013.
The counsel pointed out that the World Health Organisation was of the view that primary reasons identified for the measles outbreak and the large number of deaths were a low rate of routine vaccination in the field, poor health services management and untrained staff at health facilities. He also blamed it on the inability and incapacity of health staff in the city hospitals and in the field to treat post-measles complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis and diarrhea.
The petitioner prayed the authorities be directed to file comprehensive reports regarding their failure and consequent deaths of children. He also sought strict action against those responsible for the situation. The court after hearing the arguments issued notice to the Health Department official for next hearing date, May 29.
