ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Medical Association feels distressed and grief over the complete cut-off of Quetta city, the capital of Baluchistan.
The massive floods have inflicted devastation across a large area of Pakistan since mid-June, leaving 1000 dead and injured 1343. It has affected some 30 million people. It has ruined and damaged at least 700,000 houses that made thousands of people homeless and are now living far away from their inundated villages and towns in tents, even though many unfortunate who are miserably living without tents. More than 800,00 livestock have been killed. Some 3,000 km of roads and 129 bridges have been damaged, obstructing movement around flood-affected areas. As per Pakistan Medical Association, there is no communication, no electricity and all sort of transportation is non-functioning because of the heavy rains over the last twelve hrs.
PMA requested the government, NDMA and PDMAs to be prepared and vigilant because heavy River Flooding is expected in the coming days.
PMA branches are already working in their flood-affected areas. They have been directed by the last Central Council meeting to enhance the flood relief activity and requested them to organise medical camps for sick people and provide them with medicine.
According to the information, waterborne (Gastroenteritis, Cholera, Hepatitis A & E, Typhoid) and Mosquito-borne diseases, gastroenteritis, skin diseases, the problem of eyes (Conjunctivitis), malaria and dengue are rapidly spreading in the affected areas along with these diseases patients suffering from sugar, blood pressure, heart diseases, pregnancy and rheumatic diseases are not getting any medicine and treatment. They requested their sister organisations, philanthropists, and the government to provide them with drugs and other health facilities. It is difficult to reach the affectees due to damaged roads and bridges, so they requested the government to offer boats for relief activities. Everybody should come forward and try to help the people in this national emergency.
PMA has established a Flood Relief Center at PMA House Karachi.
They requested pharmaceutical companies mainly to donate medicines urgently at PMA House Karachi or can directly provide them to their branches in different cities of Pakistan. Companies can contact on:
021-32254632
0336-2894069
0303-2339179
PMA requested all political parties to suspend their political activities, help the people suffering from the disaster, and visit the affected areas.
Media plays a vital role; PMA requested electronic media to emphasise covering the plight and harms of the miserable people facing the flood disaster. Talk Shows should be held on flood devastation.