VOA reports that U.N. agencies warn a major potential disaster in health services is alarming in the tribal areas of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. They do not have the capacity to help all those who need or who will be in need of health care. The coming influx in the camps is still unending and the monsoon season is approaching ahead, which may cause disease outbreaks. Humidity and floods will add an additional burden starting anew fight against diseases. This will be a major challenge.
World Health Organization Representative in Pakistan, Khalif Bile, says so far health workers have been able to deal with medical problems as they have arisen. For instance, there have been 24 measles outbreaks in the camps. And, all have been controlled. Twenty-three of the basic health units in district Swat have been destroyed. So, patients are being referred to the district hospitals in Mardan and that hospital is actually over-flooded with patients. Something like 300 wounded patients may have been brought to the district hospital since the onset of this conflict. And, they have been treated over there. It has been also reported that there were 70,000 pregnant women among 2.4 million internally displaced persons, who urgently needs medical assistance.
Many IDPs are in poor condition mentally as well as physically. The trauma they are facing makes them defenseless against diseases. They are worried about their lost land and possessions also there are no clue still about the time frame when they will be returning their homes.
Arrangements to shift IDPs camps in areas where medical facilities are easily available should be done. Also government can declare a health emergency in the area and make every possible arrangement to send teams of doctors from all over Pakistan and abroad to over come this ion coming disaster.
VOA reports that U.N. agencies warn a major potential disaster in health services is alarming in the tribal areas of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. They do not have the capacity to help all those who need or who will be in need of health care. The coming influx in the camps is still un ending and the monsoon season is approaching ahead, which may cause disease outbreaks. Humidity and floods will add an additional burden starting anew fight against diseases. This will be a major challenge.
World Health Organization Representative in Pakistan, Khalif Bile, says so far health workers have been able to deal with medical problems as they have arisen. For instance, there have been 24 measles outbreaks in the camps. And, all have been controlled. Twenty-three of the basic health units in district Swat have been destroyed. So, patients are being referred to the district hospitals in Mardan and that hospital is actually over-flooded with patients. Something like 300 wounded patients may have been brought to the district hospital since the onset of this conflict. And, they have been treated over there. It has been also reported that there were 70,000 pregnant women among 2.4 million internally displaced persons, who urgently needs medical assistance.
Many IDPs are in poor condition mentally as well as physically. The trauma they are facing makes them defenseless against diseases. They are worried about their lost land and possessions also there are no clue still about the time frame when they will be returning their homes.
Arrangements to shift IDPs camps in areas where medical facilities are easily available should be done. Also government can declare a health emergency in the area and make every possible arrangement to send teams of doctors from all over Pakistan and abroad to over come this ion coming disaster.
WHO published a report about health concerns on 19 May 2009, according to which following measures are urgent:
• Measures should be taken to stop selling of food items such as ice balls, Kulfi (home made ice cream) etc. prepared and kept in unhygienic conditions by the street vendors in the premises of camps.
• Increase in number of mobile teams working in Mardan district to serve emerging spontaneous camps.
• Water and sanitation conditions in IDP camps need urgent attention to prevent spread of water borne diseases.
• Working conditions for health care providers in terms of tents and shelters in IDP camps need improvement.
• Better infrastructure for health clinics in camps to provide conducive environment for patients.
• Additional female health care providers to cater to the health needs of female IDPs.
• Surgical supplies for hospitals in conflict zones.
