Tens of thousands of people, sheltering along roadsides and canals in the flood-ravaged region of Balochistan, face the risk of contacting malaria infection.
Sources said about 30,000 patients of gastroenteritis, malaria, skin infection, and waterborne diseases had been treated so far in 24 medical camps set up in Naseerabad and Jaffarabad districts. “The risk of contracting malaria has increased largely because the displaced people are now exposed to mosquitoes,” Health Secretary Asmatullah Kakar said while briefing reporters at his office.
Kakar said the Balochistan government had approached the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to supply them at least 150,000 Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) to cope with the emerging challenge. He said rendering thousands of families homeless, the recent floods triggered by heavy downpours had forced them to take shelter on the roadsides, adding that the Health Department promptly responded with its full capacity and set up medical camps in rain-hit areas. Giving details about the steps taken by the Health Department for the flood affected, he said the flood victims had been provided with medicine of Rs 60 million during the last 10 days, while Rs 40 million worth of medicine were available with the Health Department for emergency situations.
Well, with that much water in a climate like that, it goes without saying how dangerous malaria can be. All that can be really done is either hope for the flood to subside quickly enough or the local health department to be well-prepared for the disease.
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