More than 100 children in Karachi have succumbed to diphtheria this year due to a critical shortage of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (DAT), despite the disease being preventable through vaccination, a Sindh health department official revealed on Saturday. The alarming rise in diphtheria cases and related fatalities has prompted all patients to be referred to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital (SIDH). The provincial health official reported that last year, 140 cases were treated at SIDH, resulting in 52 deaths. Currently, over ten children are receiving treatment at the hospital.
However, the Sindh Health Department has contested the figures, asserting that only 28 children, not 100, have died in 2024.
“This year, 166 diphtheria cases have been reported in Sindh, out of which 28 deaths occurred,” the department stated. Infectious disease experts highlighted that the antitoxin medicine crucial for treating diphtheria is unavailable throughout Sindh, including Karachi. The cost of antitoxin treatment is approximately Rs 0.25 million per child. “The only cure for diphtheria is complete vaccination and treatment with antitoxin,” they emphasized. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produces toxins that can lead to severe respiratory issues, heart complications, and even death.
In Pakistan, children are vaccinated with a combination vaccine that protects against five major diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza type b (DTP-hepB-Hib). Dr. Muhammad Arif Khan, Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), previously warned that diphtheria is a life-threatening disease and emphasized that timely vaccination is essential to prevent its outbreaks in communities.
“It primarily affects the throat and upper respiratory tract but can also lead to systemic complications. Diphtheria is characterized by a greyish-white membrane formation in the throat, causing difficulty in breathing and swallowing,” he noted. Despite being eradicated in many countries, diphtheria remains a persistent issue in Pakistan, posing a significant challenge for the nation’s health authorities. Given the lethal nature of this bacterial infection, ensuring vaccination for all children is paramount to prevent further tragedies.
