THARPARKAR: Situation in the drought-stricken region worsens as four minors under treatment for malnutrition at the Civil Hospital in Mithi passed away on Thursday.
In a statement issued by the Tharparkar Department of Health, it was revealed that all of the minors, aged between a day and eight months, passed away during the last 24 hours.
The latest fatalities have taken the death toll in Tharparker to 14 for this month, and 490 in this year.
According to the health department, every year 1,500 children die due to malnutrition, infections and lack of proper medical facilities in the remote region.
A report released by the United Nation’s Children Fund in April stated that Pakistan is among countries with the highest infant mortality rates, with 22 infants dying before turning one month old.
Among these countries, eight are in Africa and two in Asia, including Afghanistan which is ranked third.
“Pakistan is the riskiest place to be born as measured by its newborn mortality rate,” the report stated.
“A baby born in Pakistan is almost 50 times more likely to die during his or her first month than a baby born in Japan, Iceland and Singapore.”