On September 9, a group of citizens from various regions gathered outside the Ministry of Health building in Uzbekistan. They were parents of children suffering from SSPE (Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis), a rare and extremely severe complication of measles. The protesters demanded that the government provide essential medications, medical care, and financial support.
SSPE develops 2 to 10 years after measles infection and damages brain cells. It predominantly affects children who contracted measles before the age of 2. According to one parent, there are currently about 350 children with SSPE in Uzbekistan, and nearly 60 have died. In Namangan region alone, 8 children have died since the beginning of the year. The disease is mainly observed in children born in 2019 who had measles.
Parents claim that the measles virus mutated after COVID-19 and that a wild strain has been confirmed. “The measles virus mutated after COVID; the wild strain has been confirmed by the Institute of Virology of Uzbekistan. That is why it is recurring. Those born before 2019 do not get this disease. Due to mutation after COVID, the measles virus has become very dangerous,” said one father.
Parents note that due to the rapid progression of the disease, children require constant, expensive symptomatic and antiviral therapy. However, there are problems with importing necessary drugs from abroad and ensuring continuous supply. “So far, we have spent 70,000–80,000 dollars. Each medicine costs 7–8 million soums, bringing foreign doctors and consultations requires huge funds,” said one parent. Some families are falling apart due to financial strain, with parents forced to work abroad to treat their children.
Parents recalled that previous ministers also made promises, but financial support and involvement of foreign specialists were never provided. They said they spoke with the current health minister, who personally promised to solve the problems. Some parents reported improvement in their children’s condition, but attribute it not to treatment but to care and natural nutrition.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health announced it would comment to journalists on the situation. However, a day later, by the time of publication, the ministry’s press service had not provided any official response. The newspaper continues to monitor the situation.
Source: www.gazeta.uz