World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday stated that by January 2023, 32 areas in flood-stricken Pakistan are expected to have 2.7 million cases of malaria.
The group pleaded with the international community to “do a lot more” for Pakistan’s flood-stricken nation. According to Geo News, additional illnesses include epidemics of cholera, measles, and dengue. According to The News, WHO declared the floods in Pakistan a Grade 3 Emergency and raised alarm about the second wave of disease outbreaks that are engulfing the flood-affected regions of Pakistan.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the WHO representative in Pakistan, stated that 32 districts were expected to have 2.7 million cases of malaria by January 2023.
Dr. Mahipala said 32 districts in Sindh and Balochistan were “worst-affected” by malaria, where thousands of cases were being reported daily. He added that they were concerned that these districts would produce 2 million cases of malaria by December and roughly 2.7 million cases by the end of January 2023.
“WHO is donating quick diagnostic tools and anti-malarial drugs costing USD 2.5 million to help stop malaria-related deaths. The organisation is also offering technical assistance to the federal and provincial governments to help them cope with outbreaks of the disease. In order to treat malaria patients since larvicidal preventative methods are not feasible in flood-affected areas, prophylactic therapy and post-exposure therapies are being planned “, he insisted.
Dr. Mahipala stated that outbreaks of water- and vector-borne illnesses have started in Pakistan’s flood-affected areas, as the WHO director-general had earlier warned.
According to him, there are Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) outbreaks in 46 flood-affected areas and malaria outbreaks in 32 districts, according to Geo News.
Additionally, he warned reporters during a briefing at the WHO Country Office in Islamabad that cholera, measles, and dengue epidemics are among the other diseases that can cause significant damage if appropriate treatment is not given, according to Geo News.
