Islamabad/Karachi: Around nine more people have died in the flood-affected areas of Sindh due to water-borne diseases. Since July 1, the toll due to gastroenteritis, malaria, and diarrhoea has surged to 318. Mobile hospitals and makeshift health centres have treated more than 2.7 million people.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the increase in diseases will pave way for a ‘second disaster. UNICEF has also pointed out that 3.4 million boys & girls need immediate lifesaving medical attention. Ahsan Iqbal, Planning Minister and Head of the national flood response centre, said that they fear the outbreak of disease might get out of control. He added that mobile hospitals are set in flood-affected areas. Ahsan appealed for two million nutrition packs that would be distributed among mothers and infants.
The National Disaster Management Authority has reported that 1,559 people, excluding recent deaths due to diseases, passed away due to flood-induced incidents. The disastrous floods have caused damage of $30 billion.