KARACHI: Azra Fazal Pechuho, Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare, met with WHO Representative to Pakistan, Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala, at the EPI Hall, Karachi.
The meeting included a press conference and a handover of flood relief supplies and equipment, including rapid diagnostic kits for dengue and malaria and hygiene kits for women.
Dengue rapid diagnostic kits 42000
Malaria rapid diagnostic kits 13500
Dignity kits for females 20000
The meeting was informed that there are more flood relief supplies on the way, including two water filtration plants; one filtration plant can filter 10,000 litres of water a day. With other supplies, there are multipurpose tents to establish health camps in IDP settlements.
Nutrition was a top priority before the floods, but it is urgent in the aftermath. Nutrition stabilisation centres are going to be established as well.
During the press conference, Azra Fazal Pechuho clarified that the monetary aid from the federal government and international donors has not yet arrived in Sindh, but this is being worked on and that financial aid will be used for the rehabilitation of the IDPs.
She added that the dengue cases and deaths being underreported are because of a lack of reporting being sent to the Sindh Health Department despite previous requests by the Sindh Healthcare Commission. The Minister said that now there is a state of emergency, and the labs that do not comply and who do not operate in complete transparency regarding these diseases will be sealed.
For transparency regarding the relief goods being provided, she assured those asking that all items are stamped and sealed, and there is no such pilfering occurring that the relief items are being sold in the general or black market and encouraged the journalists to please report any incidents such as that to her department.
She also said this is a humanitarian disaster and not just limited to health, unlike covid to a large degree. This disaster has impacted crops, infrastructure, livestock, and telecommunications, making provisions and access to basic needs extremely difficult.
Dr Mahipala said he had visited the flood-affected areas and seen the work done there. WHO will provide additional support as they wanted 12 boats to conduct boat camps for IDPs who could not be accessed otherwise. 20 vehicles have already been deployed. They are being used as mobile health, and 7 more will be released immediately. He said two cargo flights to Karachi with further flood relief items were on the way. Mental health is also being prioritised as flood survivors have endured a lot, and they need to be given mental health care as well, he said.
Azra Pechuho said that Their workers are doing nutrition screening, and nutrition supplements are being procured internationally and sourced locally.
The government and agencies will work together to strategise a long-term, sustainable plan for IDPs rehabilitating. All sectors of society must ensure to do their part in rebuilding their lives.