KARACHI: As the number of instances of diarrhoea, dehydration, respiratory infections, malaria, dengue, and skin disorders rises at healthcare camps in flood-affected areas, experts have warned of the spread of illness if the living conditions and medical needs of flood victims are not promptly addressed.
According to a statement by the Aga Khan University's Flood Response Task Force led by Dr Adil Haider, Dean of the AKU Medical College, and Dr Shahid Shafi, Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan University Hospital, the new rainfall may not only add to the suffering of flood victims but also disrupt ongoing healthcare services.
According to the statement, better living conditions, nutritious food, clean drinking water, medical facilities, and mosquito control should be the highest priority in relief efforts.
The health of pregnant women is a further worry. They emphasised that the United Nations Population Fund estimates that over 650,000 pregnant women urgently need maternal health services, whose lives can be improved with prompt care.
Over 52,000 individuals in 18 districts of Sindh and Balochistan, including Matiari, Thatta, Dadu, Badin, Qambar Shahdadkot, Sanghar, Naushehro Feroze, Karachi, Lasbella, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, and Jafferabad, have received care from AKU's healthcare camps and mobile units in flood-affected areas.
Fifty-two thousand people visited the camps, including 15,000 women, 1,650 pregnant women, and 13,000 children under five. Over 3,700 youngsters were vaccinated routinely.
The AKU task team collaborates with the federal and provincial governments, local authorities, and partners to mobilise medical specialists and resources from the University's campuses and hospitals.
Over 4,000 people from across the nation attend the free capacity-building courses for healthcare workers serving in affected areas.
The University is collecting cash to help the healthcare camps, with teachers, staff, and students contributing Rs 6 million. The contribution of AKU to the Aga Khan Development Network's overall operations in Pakistan.