The Ministry of Public Health of the caretaker government has rejected a recent report by Doctors Without Borders regarding the increase in measles cases among children in Afghanistan, stating that 16 million children across the country will receive the measles vaccine.
In a statement, the ministry responded to the report by Doctors Without Borders, asserting that the organization should present its reports based on facts to avoid causing concern among the citizens of the country.
The statement continued: “Last year, recorded cases of this disease were addressed promptly; currently, organized efforts against measles are ongoing by various health institutions.”
The announcement mentioned that a national measles vaccination campaign has also been launched this year, and 16 million children are set to receive the vaccine against this disease throughout Afghanistan.
Additionally, the Ministry of Public Health has urged domestic and international organizations and institutions to coordinate with the ministry when publishing their reports and statements.
This comes as Doctors Without Borders reported last Wednesday that measles cases among children in Herat, Balkh, and Helmand have tripled.
The organization stated that one child dies daily in each of these three provinces due to measles.
This entity described the rise in measles cases as concerning, noting that in the first eight weeks of this year, 4,799 children with suspected measles symptoms were identified in these three provinces, with 25% requiring hospitalization and the remaining 75% needing outpatient treatment.
