DADU, Jan 14: Three more children died of measles in Hero Khan village in Kachoo area on Wednesday, taking the toll to eight. Latest victims were Allan, 2, Amjad, 4, and Naseem, 2, whereas 37 other children , suffering from the same disease, are stated to be in a serious condition in the village.

The three children were not brought to the Johi Taluka Hospital due to unavailability of transport. The death toll has reached eight as five children had earlier died of measles in the same village on Tuesday.

Nazim union council Chhinni Ghulam Ali Shahani told this correspondent measles had broken out not only in Hero Khan village but also in surrounding ten villages including Gul Mohammad, Wahi Pandhi, Tando Rahim Khan, Chhinni, Chakar Shahani and Murid Dero.

He regretted the health department had not taken preventive measures and apprehended that if the treatment of measles was not started, the disease would claim more lives.

EDO: Dadu health EDO Dr Moula Bux Jamali said children of Hero Khan village were suffering because there was no way to bring them to hospitals. He said medical camps were established a and 300 children were vaccinated.

DEMO: Nazims of different union councils of the district staged a demonstration outside the press club here on Wednesday to protest against non-release of funds to the UCs.

Speaking on the occasion, Baban Panhwar said in December the district council had passed a resolution that development works amounting Rs1.5 million would be carried out in every UC, while Rs500,000 would be provided to the UC Nazims for their offices. He alleged that the DCO was not cooperating hence funds for development schemes were not released to UCs.