Measles Outbreak in Pakistan (Essay Sample)

Measles Outbreak in Pakistan, a Case Study
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Measles Outbreak in Pakistan, a Case Study
This paper analyzes the outbreak of measles in Pakistan. In particular, the essay uses a 2014 article by Tariq and Qazi, titled, "Measles outbreak in Pakistan: causes of the tragedy and future implications." Understandably, there were devastating impacts of measles outbreak in this part of the world. In fact, measles outbreak had not claimed as many lives as it did in Pakistan. The outbreak that began in 2012 spread afterwards to various parts of the country to cause serious concerns. In essence, 321 lives were lost in 2013 because of the outbreak. Therefore, this article provides an overview of the outbreak, relationship among causal agents, environmental factors, and susceptible persons. Further, this research outlines the roles of nurses in addressing the outbreak, as well as possible health protection or health promotion strategies to use.
Summary of the article
Tariq & Qazi (2014) assert that measles is a very contagious viral disease of the respiratory tract that usually manifests as cough, fever, as well as rashes in one's body. As such, the best antidote used is vaccine through which people are immunized against the child-killer disease. Statistically, there was a reduction in 71% of deaths caused by measles infection following vaccinations between 2000 and 2011. The implication is that vaccination has greatly helped reduce the severity of life loss caused by this infection. Even so, immunization programs in Pakistan were usually floundered. Different provinces in the country record different averages in immunization. For instance, it was 86% in Punjab and a mere 43% in Balochistan. Despite campaigns to have vaccination, only 75% turnout was realized in 2011 (Tariq & Qazi, 2014). Thus, routine vaccination in the country faces myriads of challenges as the majority do not embrace this exercise.
The statistics of measles in Pakistan are also worrying. The outbreak began in the Sindh province on the December of 2012 and successfully spread to other parts of the country to claim even more lives. Besides, history has it that Pakistan has recorded a resurgent increase in deaths caused by the virus prior to 2012. There were 64 deaths in 2011, 310 in 2012, and 321 deaths in 2013 (Tariq & Qazi, 2014).
Moreover, there were different causes of the lapse and spread of measles virus in Pakistan. The serious increase in deaths only show the existence of gaps that require filling. The author identifies several causes of the spread of measles in Pakistan. The causes include corruption in healthcare system, poor health infrastructure, and lower coverage of immunization, destabilized routine immunization, parents' negligence, shortage of vaccinators, floods, and malnutrition, among others. In particular, the authors cite the lack of fundamental healthcare facilities and failure by the government to support the course (Tariq & Qazi, 2014).
Also, it is noted that measles outbreak started in less developed districts in the country. As such, there is a lack of commitment by different stakeholders to see through the immunization process. Further, corruption in healthcare system facilitated the spread. Primarily, there was mismanagement of funds and facilities that steered the virus. The Transparency International ranks Pakistan as one of the most corrupt countries worldwide. Further, Pakistan was characterized by reduced immunization coverage. In particular, there was substandard performance of the expanded program on immunization (EPI) that led to failure in the fight against preventable infections, such as polio and measles (Tariq & Qazi, 2014).
The Impacts on Nursing Practice
Correspondingly, the situation in Pakistan shows that nurses have significant roles to play in the fight against preventable infections, such as measles. Primarily, nurses are charged with the maintenance of patients' health irrespective of the circumstances. In effect, nurses should go out of their way and help patients when and where they can. Nurses, therefore, should eliminate cases, such as destabilized immunization routines. It is a nurse' responsibility to adhere to immunization standards as maintain ethical standards. Tariq & Qazi (2014) assert that low immunization coverage was the major cause of the lapse in Pakistan.
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