Measles still a menace to society

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Measles still a menace to society

Prevention is better than Cure” is the crux of the tale shared by a Family who have seen the horrifying effects of the disease   

By Azhar Nisar Sheikh, Health Education Officer, Federal EPI Cell

“A small insect bite or an ordinary rash on my children gives me a nightmare now” says Muhammad Younis a 41 year overseas Pakistani and a father to 2 beautiful children.

Muhammad Younis own a Kabab Hotel in Saudi Arabia and visits his family residing in village Udigram, Tehsil Babuzai, District Swat. One day he received an emergency call back from Pakistan and her wife stated that their 9 months old baby boy Yaseen is not feeling well. According to his wife Yaseen had a high temperature, sore eyes (conjunctivitis), and a runny nose that was followed by small white spots developed inside the mouth the next day.

Muhammad Younis with grief in his eyes further recalled that, for those few days he was very panicking and not able to concentrate on his job and use to call his family back in Pakistan everyday with a hope that it will settle down. Meanwhile her wife took Yaseen to various hakeems but in vein. All other family members, neighbours and peers had no idea what has happened to the child and upon some inappropriate recommendation she also took him to the black magic guy to get rid of the option if someone has cast a spell on him.

The scenario got worst and when a red blotchy rash developed starting on the head and neck, and spread down the whole body. Muhammad Younis on emergency basis flew to Pakistan where he observed his son to be in half dead condition. He instantly took his child to one of the best medical facility in Islamabad where he was instantly diagnosed with Measles. A combination of Dehydration Measures, Fever Management Drugs and an Antibiotic he was brought back to life.

According to Muhammad Younis, he felt like a worst dad  ever, when the doctor asked him a question that “Have you vaccinated your children against Measles, which is free of cost being offered by the Expnaded Program on Immunization, Government of Pakistan”?

Though with a great shame, I said NO to the doctor, but that was the day when I planned that from now onwards I will take children immunization very seriously.

When I came back to Abbotabad, the next day 9 In the morning I went straight to the EPI set up in the Government Health Facility and not only measles asked the medical officials there for a briefing on all vaccine preventable diseases. Additionally, I requested them to furnish me with all sorts of Information, Education and Communication Materials concerning these vaccine preventable diseases.

Alhamdulillah, my son has survived the measles attack but to ensure that no such incident is repeated in my family I have equipped myself with a lot of information on the prevention of 9 vaccine preventable diseases. Also the sources from where I can get my children vaccinated.

I am not a fully literature person, but this information has made me confident enough to guard my family and I also work as a volunteer in the Government’s initiatives to eradicate vaccine preventable diseases.

I would conclude by expressing a gratitude to Federal and Provincial/Regional Expanded Program on Immunization entities especially the Ministry for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination.

2017-04-26T12:35:00+00:00