PM fears epidemic among survivors

Prime Minister Gilani expressed fears that a deadly epidemic could spread among millions of flood survivors.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday expressed fears that a deadly epidemic could spread among millions of flood survivors without the cooperation of multilateral donors for health care.

The prime minister shared those fears with Omer Tasli, director general of the Turkish Red Crescent Society, who had called on him with a delegation. “The international community needs to assist Pakistan in the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected population, particularly in efforts to prevent the outbreak of epidemics,” he said.

To check the spread of diseases in the affected areas, Gilani said, flood survivors would require access to tents, packed food, drinking water, mobile clinics fitted with diagnostic equipment and medicines.

Last week, Gilani said that more than 3.5 million children were at risk from deadly diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, malaria and gastroenteritis. “Not only are they faced with the difficulties of daily living but are dangerously exposed to health hazards,” Gilani then said. “As human misery continues to mount, we are seriously concerned about the spread of epidemics.”

The second appeal by the premier in less than a week, speaks of the gravity of the problem the government faces to prevent water-borne diseases among flood survivors.

Gilani recalled the ‘valuable’ relief, rescue and rehabilitation contributions of the Turkish Red Crescent Society during the 2005 earthquake and hoped that in the present natural calamity, they would exhibit the same spirit.

One of the major tasks before the government, according to the prime minister,  is to ensure shelter to the flood survivors before Eid. And towards this end a comprehensive strategy was being designed, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2010.