WHO warns of epidemics following deadly Pakistan floods | Tellwell Newspaper
Tellwell Newspaper, Abuja – Nigeria:
Pakistan faces imminent break out of epidemics from devastating floodings that have ravaged the country, portending a “second disaster” if urgent actions were not taken, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement obtained by Tellwell Newspaper.
Weeks of torrential rains and flash floods have left more than 1,500 dead and displaced 33 million people in the Asian nation of 220 million.
The government estimates total financial losses at $30bn, with at least four million hectares of diverse agricultural land destroyed from the deluge, which WHO blamed on climate change.
“I am deeply concerned about the potential for a second disaster in Pakistan: a wave of disease and death following this catastrophe…that has severely impacted vital health systems, leaving millions vulnerable,” WHO Secretary-General Tedros
Ghebreyesus said in the statement.
The devastating floods have disrupted water supply, forcing people to drink unsafe water, which could spread cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases, said Ghebreyesus
Standing water in flooded areas enables mosquitoes to breed and spread vector- borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
The displaced who have been forced to move away from home were finding it difficult to access healthcare as health centres have been flooded and their supplies damaged.
Nearly 2,000 health facilities have been damaged in the inundation while health workers are stretched to the limit as they struggle to deliver critical services amid the destruction, according to the statement.
“But if we act quickly to protect health and deliver essential health services, we can significantly reduce the impact of this impending crisis,” Ghebreyesus said.
As interim measure, WHO released $10 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies which enabled the delivery of essential medicines and other supplies.
The WHO in partnership with the Pakistani government, the United Nations and other international donor agencies had set up temporary health facilities and medical camps and helping to re-supply medicines to other health centres.
WHO has provided water purification kits and oral rehydration salts to manage diarrhoeal diseases while other donors were providing safer housing and bed nets to protect against mosquitoes and related diseases.
The medical charity alliance was also providing safe drinking water and access to toilets to lower the risks of disease from dirty water.
“I urge donors to continue to respond generously so that, together, we can save lives and prevent more suffering,” the WHO boss said.
