PML-F slams govt after 'mysterious disease' kills 9 kids

Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) Sindh Secretary General Sardar Abdul Rahim on Sunday expressed grave concern over the rapid spread of a mysterious skin disease among children in Khairpur district, blaming the Sindh government for what he termed "criminal negligence". In a statement, he said that at least nine children had died so far due to the disease, according to media reports, but the provincial government had yet to take effective action. He criticised the District Health Officer (DHO) Khairpur for issuing what he described as an irresponsible statement, saying that "it is hoped the children will recover soon," while, in reality, parents were being turned away from hospitals on the grounds that no treatment was available. Sardar Rahim said that samples of eight affected children had been sent to Karachi for testing, but no report had been received so far, terming it a reflection of the incompetence of the health department. He added that authorities had yet to determine whether the disease was chickenpox or monkeypox, even as fatalities continued to rise. He demanded that a health emergency be declared immediately in the affected areas, and that teams of specialist doctors be dispatched without delay. He also called for strict action against officials found guilty of negligence. The PML-F leader warned that if urgent vaccination and preventive measures were not taken, and the disease spread to other districts, the Sindh administration would bear full responsibility. Expressing condolences with the bereaved families, he urged the federal government and the World Health Organisation to take notice of the situation and assist in controlling the outbreak to protect vulnerable communities.