GARDEZ CITY (SW) – Officials from the Directorate of Public Health in Paktia report that the incidence of measles among children in the province has increased by 60%.
Meraj Gul Adel, the head of the directorate, says that in the first two months of the current year, 119 cases of measles among children were recorded, while the number in 2024 was 44.
He adds that to control the spread of measles among children, health teams have been sent to remote areas of Paktia to administer vaccines, and families have been educated on how to prevent their children from contracting the disease.
Adel said: “Measles has increased compared to the past; we are working to reduce these cases and eliminate them completely. So far, we have vaccinated over 2,500 children against measles.”
Doctors say that measles is a viral disease, and the best way to prevent it is through vaccination.
Adam Khan Ebrahim, the chief pediatrician at the Paktia regional hospital, says that when some children contract measles, they should be kept away from other children and transferred to the hospital for treatment.
“This disease affects all systems of the child’s body, especially the eyes, mouth, respiratory system, and digestion. Children whose mouths have become dry and bitter due to the disease should be given soft and light food, and children with high fever should not be kept in a hot environment.”
On the other hand, families who have brought their children to the Paktia regional hospital for treatment complain about the lack of facilities.
ریاست صحت عامه پکتیا، از خانوادهها میخواهد که برای پیشگیری از ابتلای کودکان شان به سرخکان، دستورهای بهداشتی که از سوی پزشکان ارائه میشود را رعایت کنند.
Bashir, a resident of Paktia, whose child is hospitalized due to measles, says that the shortage of beds has caused children with various diseases to be kept in the same room. He adds, “In one bed, two, three, or even four children are hospitalized. It would be better if help is provided in this regard, and the number of beds is increased.”
Naeem, another resident of Paktia, urges the province’s Public Health Directorate to increase the number of beds in the pediatric section and allocate separate rooms for each group of patients. “Patients with measles, and other diseases should not be kept in the same room. Our request is that these patients be placed in separate rooms, and each patient be treated in a specific environment.”
The Public Health Directorate of Paktia urges families to follow the health instructions provided by doctors to prevent their children from contracting measles.
