It should not come as a surprise if a cholera epidemic has broken out in Pir Koh gas field area of Balochistan due to the lack of clean drinking water. The district health officer of Dera Bugti has admitted that around 1,500 people have fallen victim to cholera in the affected area. The intensity of the epidemic can be judged from the statement of the official that due to the increasing load of patients in the district hospital, patients were being accommodated on the floors of the hospital, adding that the hospital was also running out of medicines.
According to officials, the cholera outbreak in the gas field zone started from April 17 and till a few days back, six people, including three children, had died. These numbers are, however, contested by area residents, as they claim cholera has killed around a dozen persons. Locals claim that people contracted cholera after drinking contaminated pond and puddle water along with animals, as clean drinking water is not available in the area. After locals protested against this state of affairs, the authorities have swung into action, and the CM of the province has released funds for the supply of safe drinking water in the cholera-hit area. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the Frontier Corps have rushed men, medicines and relief goods to Pir Koh tehsil. Medical camps have also been established there for the treatment of cholera cases.
Unfortunately, these actions have been taken after much damage has been done by the consumption of impure water. It is amazing that the relevant department did not provide clean piped water to the residents of the gas field, and the locals had to drink and use the unsafe water for cooking in the hot weather when the mercury has soared past 40 degrees Celsius. This cholera episode must act as a warning for the authorities to ensure the supply of clean drinking water in other parts of the country. Cholera is a life-threatening disease.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2022.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ