MINGORA, Nov 22: Measles has killed fifth child in Kalam valley of Swat district over the last five months.

The latest case of the contagious disease, Saima, 3, was reported on Thursday in Gulabad area.

Local officials said two children had died of measles in the last one week. They said Gulabad, Shahu and Mataltan were the worst-effected areas, where dozens of children had been hospitalised after suffering from measles.

Locals complained that vaccinators rarely visited Kalam and totally ignored the surrounding areas.

They said the negligence of the vaccinators had led to the outbreak of measles and the subsequent killing of five children and the hospitalisation of dozens.

Elder Rehmat Din said the matter was brought to the notice of the district health officials, district administration and even provincial Health Department but to no avail.

He demanded that the Health Department take appropriate measures without delay for the children’s protection against measles. The elder also called for appointment child specialists to Kalam Government Hospital and other health facilities in the area.

Former union council nazim Habibullah Saqib alleged that lack of facilities at the government hospital had forced the people into taking their children to private clinics for measles treatment but they were fleeced.

He said many children had died on the way to hospital.

Kalam naib nazim Malik Faridullah alleged that a medical technician oversaw the Kalam Government Hospital and emergency cases were referred to DHQ Hospital in Swat.

He also complained about the unavailability of gynecologists at the hospital.

When contacted, Swat DHO Dr Khurshid said a special team had been sent to Kalam to determine the cause of the five children’s deaths.

He said over 280 children had been vaccinated against measles and arrangements for more had been made.

Dr Anwar Jamal of the District Health Committee said around 250 children had been given anti-measles vaccines in Oshhu area.

FIRE KILLS INFANT: An infant died after being burnt in a huge fire at his house in Chashma locality of Khwazakhela tehsil.

The fire, which was reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, turned two rooms of the house to ashes besides killing seven-month-old Taimur and injuring his mother.

The woman was later hospitalised for burns treatment.