Malaria infecting 7,000 children annually in province

Dr Gichki says two deaths have been reported due to the outbreak in six months

QUETTA: In an alarming revelation, Balochistan Malaria Control Programme Director Dr Kamalan Gichki has said that annually 7,000 children are being infected by the disease in the province.



“Up to 1.6 million people in Pakistan are being infected by malaria annually, while many have lost their lives due to this disease,” said Director Gichki while addressing a news conference at the Quetta Press Club on Tuesday.

Public Health Director Dr Hayat Ranjo, Deputy Director Dr Khurram, Provincial Coordinator Dr Sarmad and other health officials were presented on the occasion.

He said, “In Balochistan, two deaths have been reported due to the malaria outbreak in six months.”

Gichki said, “Malaria is increasing at an alarming rate of 7.0 per cent across the province. Malaria has spread across 29 districts of Balochistan and the provincial health department is adopting all necessary measures to halt further spread of the disease.”



He said that there were five types of parasite plasmodium spreading malaria among the people of Balochistan, especially children born before nine months.

On International Malaria Day, he said, “April 25 is considered as the International Malaria Day across the world.  Many countries in the world have succeeded in purging Malaria from their soil after adopting preventive measures. In Balochistan, efforts are underway to halt this diseased and awareness campaigns are being launched across the province.”