144 children lost to diphtheria, measles since January in Karachi

In the first seven months of 2026, at least 144 children have succumbed to measles and diphtheria — both highly preventable diseases — at four major tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, according to recent reports. The total number of measles cases reported this year stands at 1,915, with 125 fatalities, while 81 cases of diphtheria have been documented, resulting in 19 deaths.

The Indus Hospital reported 81 diphtheria cases and eight deaths, while the SIDH&RC facility recorded 81 diphtheria cases and 19 fatalities. At the Indus Hospital, around 850 cases of measles have been recorded this year, resulting in 17 deaths. Eight children died of measles at the SIDH&RC, and at least seven children passed away from measles at the NICH.

Despite the decline in new cases, the Pakistan Paediatric Association's Dr Khalid Shafi attributed the issue to declining vaccine coverage rates as children grow, leading to partial or no protection against diseases like measles, typhoid, and polio. He emphasized the importance of timely vaccination, stating that 95 per cent of children who receive both measles shots can benefit from herd immunity.

The EPI Project Director, Dr Raj Kumar, reported a 35 per cent decrease in measles cases and a 10 per cent drop in diphtheria cases compared to the same period last year. He highlighted that parental negligence and the prevalence of misconceptions surrounding vaccines were key factors contributing to the rise in cases.