Health experts warn of outbreak of diseases

KARACHI:

As the number of cases of diarrhoea, dehydration, respiratory infections, malaria, dengue and skin problems increase at the healthcare camps in the flood-hit areas, experts have warned of widespread of diseases if the living conditions and healthcare needs are not managed in a timely way.

The new spell of rain may not only pile up more misery on the flood victims but would also interrupt ongoing healthcare services, says a statement by the Aga Khan University's Flood Response Task Force. Better living conditions, healthy food, clean drinking water, healthcare facilities and mosquito control should be the top priority in the relief work, according to the statement.

Another concern is the health of pregnant women. The United Nations Population Fund has estimated that over 650,000 pregnant women are in urgent need of maternal health services, whose lives can be improved by proving them with timely and proper care.

AKU's healthcare camps and mobile units in the flood-affected areas have provided care to over 52,000 people in Matiari, Thatta, Dadu, Badin, Qambar Shahdadkot, Sanghar, Naushehro Feroze, Karachi, Lasbella, Qila Abdullah, Chaman and Jafferabad.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2022.