Pakistan Floods: Danger of spreading infectious diseases in Pakistan affected by severe floods, WHO warns on deteriorating situation

As Pakistan is struggling to deal with the terrible flood situation in the country, the same World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about the worsening situation in the country devastated by record rains. Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO's regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said about the floods in Pakistan, "We are closely considering the humanitarian crisis facing the people of Pakistan as a result of the devastating monsoon floods." In a press statement issued on 5 September, Dr. Al-Mandhari said that the current level of damage and destruction due to the floods has never been seen before in Pakistan. Long-term global climate change has resulted in more severe weather conditions. Millions of people are now forced to use unsafe water for drinking and their daily needs.

The risk of spreading polio and Kovid-19 also increased

The WHO official said that this increased the risk of diseases already spreading in the country. Including diarrhea, malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, measles, and leishmaniasis. Initial disease surveillance reports are already showing an increase in cases of diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid. The risk of spreading other diseases, such as polio and Kovid-19, also increases in the country.

According to Dr. Al-Mandhari, thousands of pregnant women have lost access to health facilities and services for the safe delivery of their babies, increasing the risk of medical complications. The WHO official said that in the current situation, people in need of medical care are getting fewer facilities.

WHO has stepped in to support the ongoing efforts of the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination. Our goal is to prevent this natural disaster from developing into a complex public health disaster that results in unnecessary loss of life."

According to WHO, mobile health teams have been sent to flood-affected areas to provide health and nutrition services for pregnant women, new mothers, and their babies and children. The world health body said that more than 4500 medical camps have been set up by the Pakistani government, WHO, and health partners to ensure people have access to basic and essential health services.

Also Read: Pakistan Flood: Efforts are on to deal with the tragedy in Pakistan, which has been hit by floods, more than 1,300 people have died