The problems of flood-affected people have increased with the arrival of the winter season. Reportedly, 38 children have died in several villages of Kachho area alone, including Khandhani, Rajo Deero, Noor Mohammad and Bakhar Jamali villages, in the last two-and-a-half months. Overall, there have been reported deaths of over a hundred children in the post-flood period in and around Dadu district.
According to the administration, 1.2 million people of Dadu, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Mehar and Johi had been affected by the floods, and 161,000 houses had been damaged along with agricultural land and other infrastructure.
Many people have returned to their homes, but water at least 2-3 feet deep is still standing in some of the affected villages where the rehabilitation of the affected and the reconstruction of the houses have not started. These people need shelters to save themselves and their children from the freezing cold. Adding to their troubles is the outbreak of several diseases, especially along the Kachho belt.
Seven teams comprising experts from the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, visited areas like Bakhar Jamali, Drigh Bala, Wahi Pandhi and Tando Rahim Khan to explore the reason for deaths among children.
According to the findings of these teams, 85-90 per cent of residents were found positive for malaria in Bakhar Jamali and Khandhani villages. There are no health facilities in Khandhani village where 10 children have died in the last couple of weeks. The team also found that no qualified doctor had been posted across Kachho, and that multiplied the trouble manifold.
A single qualified doctor was found posted at the health centre in Wahi Pandhi to serve a population of over 20,000. It is not too hard to imagine the level and quality of service being provided to the locals.
The report of the team will be submitted to the Sindh government along with suggestions related to the steps that are needed rather urgently to control the diseases that are taking away young lives, and to improve the health facilities in Kachho.
The provincial government should post qualified doctors and start nutrition programmes for children in villages across the belt. It must also ensure the provision of medicines to control deaths and diseases.
ZAINAB HYDER ZARDARI
DADU
