After heavy rain, diseases seep in

Rain-affected Thatta, Sujawal facing gastro and malaria threat

The flood-affected areas of Thatta and Sujawal districts have been bearing harsh aftermaths of the recent flash floods as fifteen villagers have so far died due to gastroenteritis and cerebral malaria while an unknown number of others are also infected by the water borne disease in different villages, it has been learnt.

Eight members of a family of peasant Juman Bukero lost their lives in a short span of time in the Village Bukero due to the outbreak of water borne diseases. All the victims were rushed to the Taluka Hospital Jhirk where the doctors diagnosed that had contracted cerebral malaria.

In another case, which was reported in the village Arbab Malook Jhirko, three women namely Chagi, Sakeena, Kareema, a youngster Uris Jhirko, Jaan Muhammad and two others died due to gastroenteritis.

The villagers told this scribe that many people in various villages of the area were infected by water borne diseases including gastro and malaria, and are awaiting timely treatment.

Taking notice of the situation, the Deputy Commissioner Thatta, Ghazanfar Ali Qadri dispatched two medical teams headed by the DHO Thatta Muhammad Hanif Memon. The team comprised senior doctors, paramedics and ambulances.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Health Department, taking action on a report sent by a civil surgeon of  the district headquarter Makli, Dr Muhammad Hassan Gandhro, bhhbhas issued show cause notices to a number of consultants including a dermatologist, anesthetist, psychiatrist and orthopedic that come under the Sindh Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) rules, for negligence of their duties at the District Headquarter Hospital in Makli, Thatta.

It is pertinent to mention here that since the outset of torrential rain and unprecedented floods in Sindh, hundreds of displaced families of the union councils Jhirk, Tando Hafiz Shah, Onger, Suf Shoro and a large number of other villages surrounded by stagnant water, are facing grave hardships and starvation.

On the other hand, the DHO Sujawal, Ahmed Ali Palijo said that he had directed the officials of the Malaria Department of the district to create mass awareness regarding the prevention of Malaria spread. He has also said that the authority has set-up medical camps in the flood affected areas of District Sujawal to diagnose gastroenteritis at an early stage so that any emergency situation could be averted instantly. “Since we have taken the precautionary measures, the situation in Sujawal has remained under control”, claimed Palijo.