POLIO EMPLOYEES WILL GET RS250 MILLION IN FLOODS

 Major health hazards developing in Pakistan amid flooding

The World Health Organization (WHO) issues a warning about serious public health threats facing the affected populations, including the risk of further spreading water- and vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Districts in Pakistan continue to be affected by heavy monsoon rainfall and unprecedented levels of flooding. The severe effects of the torrential monsoon rains, which started in mid-July 2022, are felt by 33 million people in 116 districts around the nation, with 66 districts being the worst affected.

 According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, this natural disaster has resulted in at least 1000 fatalities, 1500 injuries, and more than 161 000 people being displaced and placed in relief camps. Millions of people lack access to medical care and treatment as a result of the country's approximately 888 damaged health facilities, 180 of which are entirely ruined, according to reports from many impacted districts.

 

The current level of destruction is significantly worse than that brought on by floods in Pakistan in previous years, including those that wreaked havoc on the nation in 2010, according to a preliminary assessment by the WHO and humanitarian partners, said Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. "WHO has launched an emergency reaction to treat the injured, supply medical institutions with life-saving supplies, support mobile health teams, and stop the spread of infectious diseases," reads a statement from the organization.

  

"WHO is collaborating with local health authorities to provide prompt and efficient assistance. According to Dr. Palitha Mahipala, WHO Representative in Pakistan, "our main priorities right now are to ensure quick access to essential health services for the flood-affected population, to strengthen and expand disease surveillance, outbreak prevention, and control, and to ensure robust health cluster coordination.

The WHO's immediate priorities are to swiftly increase access to essential health services for the flood-affected population, strengthen and expand disease surveillance, outbreak prevention, and control, and ensure a well-coordinated response at national and subnational levels, including the involvement of all relevant partners. Forecasts indicate that the floods will worsen over the coming days, having an even greater humanitarian and public health impact.

 

A state of emergency has been declared in the affected areas, control rooms and medical camps have been established at the provincial and district levels, air evacuation operations have been coordinated, and health awareness campaigns have been held for those who are now at an increased risk of contracting waterborne and vector-borne diseases as well as other infectious diseases like COVID-19.

 

In close collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, WHO is stepping up surveillance for cholera, acute watery diarrhea, and other communicable diseases to prevent further spread. In addition, WHO is supplying vital medications and medical supplies to

functional health facilities caring for affected communities. In response to the pre-existing outbreak, WHO and partners had started cholera immunization campaigns before the flood.