Monsoon: Four towns likely to bear brunt

510,762 may suffer from monsoon-related diseases in Allama Iqbal Town.


Express July 08, 2011

LAHORE:


More people in Ravi, Allama Iqbal, Wagha and Samnabad Towns are likely to be affected by seasonal diseases, a contingency plan for the monsoon season prepared jointly by the City District Government of Lahore and the Health Department predicted.


The plan, based on previous years’ statistics, said that 510,762 could be affected in Allama Iqbal Town, 286,797 in Ravi Town, 110,990 in Wagha Town and 107,847 in Samanabad Town. It said drains in these areas were in a dilapidated condition. Several areas located close to River Ravi could be affected if there was a flood in the river, it said.

“We have formed 27 teams and divided the towns among them,” said Deputy District Office (Health) Dr Yadullah. “These teams will be based at the offices of the town municipal administrations (TMAs),” he added. He said each team consisted of two medical officers, two lady health workers, two dispensers and two support staff.

An emergency task force headed by Executive District Officer (Health) Dr Umar Farooq Khan would monitor these teams, he said.

The DDO (health) said two district headquarters (DHQ) and four tehsil headquarters (THQ) hospitals in the city have been replenished with frequently-needed medicines.

According to the contingency plan, 287 medical officers, 507 male paramedics and 310 female paramedics were available to deal with emergencies during the monsoon. It said 150 men would be assigned duties for anti-dengue sprays across the city.

The CDGL and Health Department estimated that 21per cent of the population was at risk for skin infections and 18 per cent from acute respiratory infection (ARI).

Preventions:

The contingency plan said water should be boiled before drinking and suggested use of oral rehydration therapy to prevent seasonal diseases.  It said all clean water containers should be properly covered and advised against bathing in rain.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2011.

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