KARACHI:
Between 0.1 to one per cent of the province’s population has statistically been infected with malaria if trends over the last decade are analysed, said Minister for Health Dr Sagheer Ahmed.
The minister was speaking to the media after a seminar on malaria at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) on Monday morning.
Ahmed said the spike in cases last year was linked to the displaced people from across the country who were seeking refuge in camps in Sindh. Malaria cases in 2009 which totalled over 45,000 in number as well as the 57,000 plus patients recorded in 2010 were mainly due to the displacements. However, as people move back home the numbers would automatically decline and be in line with previous trends.
In response to a question, the minister assured that fumigation campaigns will be held to combat and control both malaria as well as dengue.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2011.
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