Three more people died in suspected measles cases in the 24 hours ending at 8:00am on Sunday, as the government acknowledged serious lapses in vaccine procurement that contributed to the ongoing outbreak.
According to data released by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest deaths were classified as suspected measles-related fatalities, bringing the cumulative number of deaths from measles-like symptoms to 587 since 15 March. The number of deaths in laboratory-confirmed measles cases remained unchanged at 93, taking the combined death toll from confirmed and suspected cases to 680.
During the same period, 1,063 new measles cases were reported nationwide, including 62 laboratory-confirmed infections and 1,001 suspected cases.
The total number of confirmed measles cases recorded between 15 March and 21 June has now reached 11,011, while the cumulative number of suspected cases has risen to 92,790.
Since mid-March, 76,859 patients with measles symptoms were admitted to hospital across the country. Of them, 72,849 have recovered and have been discharged after treatment.
Amid growing concerns over the outbreak, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health Affairs Ziauddin Hyder on Sunday said there was no need to form an investigation committee to determine why the country missed a scheduled measles vaccination campaign, as the reasons were already clear.
"There was negligence here, and we can say that without any doubt," he told reporters at a press briefing at the Secretariat. "Because of that negligence, the vaccine round scheduled for 2024-25 was completely missed. No vaccine procurement was carried out. Similarly, family planning contraceptive products were not procured."
The briefing was organised to share the outcomes of his recent visit to Europe, including participation in the 34th International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Triennial Congress in Lisbon, Portugal.
Explaining the circumstances behind the lapse, Hyder said the immunisation programme had been shifted from an Operational Plan (OP) to a Development Project Proposal (DPP), disrupting the regular funding mechanism.
"We know what happened. The programme was transferred from the operational plan to a DPP. It may have been assumed that the DPPs would be approved within one to one-and-a-half months and funds would become available. In reality, many DPPs could not even be properly prepared within a year, let alone receive approval from ECNEC and establish project offices," he said.
He noted that the uninterrupted flow of funds previously available under the operational plan mechanism had been halted before an alternative financing arrangement was put in place, creating a gap that continues to affect the health sector.
Hyder also acknowledged shortages of family planning products and other essential health supplies in different parts of the country, saying the government was working urgently to address the situation.
"Many family planning products are out of stock in different places. Our minister and all concerned are working to procure them as quickly as possible," he said.
According to Hyder, the Health Minister is currently in Copenhagen, Denmark, holding discussions with UNICEF's Supply Division headquarters to expedite the procurement of vaccines, contraceptives and other critical health commodities.
"We are working day and night to ensure that these gaps are filled as quickly as possible," he added.
The remarks come as health authorities continue efforts to contain one of the country's most significant measles outbreaks in recent years, with infections and deaths continuing to rise despite ongoing response measures.
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