Rise in Vaccination Leads to Plummet in Measles Cases at Kabul Hospital

Officials at the Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital have reported a significant decrease in measles cases in recent weeks. They attribute this improvement to the widespread implementation of a national vaccination campaign by the Ministry of Public Health.

Officials from Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital in Kabul have announced that there has been a notable decline in measles cases among children in recent weeks. They emphasize that vaccination campaigns have played a crucial role in this trend.

Vaccination as the Key to Reducing Cases

Mohammad Aref Hassanzai, head of the internal medicine department at the hospital, stated that prior to the start of the vaccination campaign, more than twenty to twenty-five children were hospitalized daily with measles. However, he noted that this number has now decreased. He added that preliminary results indicate that vaccination has had a significant impact on curbing the spread of the disease.

Families Share Experiences of Treating Affected Children

Rangina, a nine-month-old child currently hospitalized in the measles ward, is one of the recent patients. Her mother, Noor Bibi, shared that Rangina suffered from fever and diarrhea for three to four days and had a sore throat. When they visited the doctor, they were informed that she had measles. Doctors have assured them that timely treatment can significantly reduce the risk of mortality associated with the disease.

Second Phase of Vaccination Launches in 17 Provinces

Last month, the Ministry of Public Health initiated a nationwide measles vaccination campaign in two phases. The second phase of this program is set to be implemented this week in the remaining 17 provinces. This initiative is a part of the national program to combat infectious diseases.

Doctors Highlight the Importance of Timely Vaccination

Mansour, a doctor at the Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital, emphasized that the most effective means of prevention is timely vaccination for children under the age of five. Families must ensure that their children receive vaccinations at health facilities.

Global Statistics: Thousands Infected and Hundreds of Deaths

According to the World Health Organization, over 59,000 suspected cases of measles have been reported across Afghanistan from the beginning of this year up to the twenty-first week, with 384 fatalities. Global health experts suggest that with continued vaccination efforts and regular monitoring, the spread of this disease can be controlled in the coming months.