THARPARKAR: As many as seven children died in Tharparkar district on Saturday due to malnutrition and various viral infections, sources in Mithi Civil Hospital told a private news outlet.
According to the sources, parents of the ailing children at the Mithi Civil Hospital have complained about the lack of provision of necessary medicines at Tharparkar’s only civil hospital.
Some statistics revealed that in January alone, about 54 infants died due to the similar viral infections in Tharparkar which has 183 dispensaries, six Rural Health Centers (RHC), nine Basic Health Units (BHU) and two maternity homes in total. It is also reported that although these health facilities have a sufficient staff, they lack funds to purchase medicines that are required to be given to the infants.
Each dispensary needs an estimated amount of Rs40,000 while a BHU, a maternity home needs and an RHC needs Rs100,000 Rs200,000 and Rs300,000 per month respectively.
The health department has failed to release the required funds to the civil and other hospitals due to which those facilities are also in deep crises,” an official said told a private media outlet on the condition of anonymity. “The civil hospital also owes around 9.6m to private medical stores and petrol pumps, ” the source added.
Sindh’s health department earlier had also written to the finance department, asking for an allocation in the budget for non-operational dispensaries and health centres in Tharparkar district.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MPA Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani confirmed to a media outlet that only 22 health units get the funds, while others are still deprived of the required resources to run the health facilities.
The MPA expressed that he would talk to the Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and request him to look into the issue which has impeded the provision of health facilities at the village and town level.
Sindh Director General Health Akhlaq Khan has also assured that sincere efforts are being made for the release the required funds for all health centres.
The infections have taken the lives of as many as 12 infants in the ongoing month.