Measles Claims Three Young Lives in Kandhkot Village Within a Week
KANDHKOT - A wave of grief has swept through Subha Sadique village in Kandhkot after three children from the same locality died from measles in just one week. The deaths have sparked panic among residents and raised serious concerns about vaccination coverage and healthcare availability in rural regions.
The victims have been identified as Shukrana, 3, daughter of Murtaza Lashari; Rizwan Ahmed, 3, son of Habibullah Lashari; and Basima, 8, daughter of Nasibullah Lashari. All three children reportedly suffered from high fever, skin rashes, and respiratory complications before succumbing to the disease at home, as families were unable to arrange timely medical treatment.
Local residents said the first death occurred last Thursday, followed by the other two cases within the next six days. The tragic loss has left the entire village grieving, while parents fear that other children may also be at risk. “We buried one child and before we could recover, another funeral was announced,” said a grieving villager. “Sorrow has gripped the entire village, since we never realized the disease could spread and take lives at such an alarming pace.”
Family members of the deceased children told reporters that they had limited access to a nearby hospital and were unaware of the severity of symptoms until the children’s condition deteriorated. “We thought it was a normal fever and rash,” said Murtaza Lashari, father of Shukrana. “By the time we realized it was serious, it was too late.”
Health experts say measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can be fatal, especially for children under five years of age who are malnourished or unvaccinated. The standard two-dose Measles-Rubella vaccine is available free of cost at government health centres under Pakistan’s Expanded Program on Immunization. However, low vaccination rates, lack of awareness, and poor access to healthcare facilities in remote villages continue to contribute to outbreaks.
Talking to media, locals appealed to the Sindh Health Department and district administration to immediately dispatch a medical team to Subha Sadique village. They urged authorities to launch an emergency vaccination campaign, conduct door-to-door screening, and provide vitamin A supplements to children, which help reduce measles-related complications.
The tragic incident has also highlighted gaps in rural healthcare infrastructure. Residents said the nearest basic health unit is several kilometers away, lacks adequate staff, and often runs out of essential medicines. Transportation challenges further delay treatment during emergencies.
District health officials were not available for immediate comment. However, health workers from nearby centers said they would coordinate with the Deputy Commissioner Kandhkot to organize a medical camp in the affected village. As Subha Sadique village mourns its three youngest members, families and health workers alike are now focused on preventing further loss. The call from the village is urgent and simple: no more children should die from a disease that can be prevented with a single vaccine.
Tribute paid to Shahenshah-e-Ghazal Mehdi Hassan.
