Islamabad, May 20, 2022 (PPI-OT): WHO Pakistan Representative Dr. V. Palitha Mahipala has visited the affected areas in Sindh and Baluchistan to beef up response to present epidemic of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) / suspected Cholera cases.

The cases are continuously increasing and illness leads to life threatening conditions. AWD is a dangerous state of health which can prove fatal if not managed properly. Unhygienic practices, poverty, contamination of water are major contributing factors which may lead to AWD and Cholera.

Three districts of Karachi (central, east and south), two in Baluchistan (Dera Bugti, Harnai) and one in Punjab (Lahore) have been hit by illness affecting hundreds. WHO immediately responded to the situation by scaling up interventions and mobilizing resources to the affected districts said Dr. Palitha. Working closely with the health department, the agency has supported in preventive as well as clinical management domains.

In order to mitigate factors that may cause fatal dehydration, WHO has provided Aqua tablets, oral rehydration solutions, antibiotics to Karachi, and Dera Bugti. Additionally, the agency as per its mandate has strengthened the laboratories in the provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan by providing reagents, transport media for confirming extent of disease.

It is also decided to assist in the provision of clean drinking water, a precious commodity, in these districts shared WHO Country Representative. WHO – UNICEF joint steering committee has been constituted to create awareness and implement WASH component for averting AWD/ Cholera at community level.

Urgent recruitment of health care workers has been completed. Clinical treatment SOPs have been circulated and 312 doctors and health workers were trained. Social mobilisers will go house to house. Agencies have dispatched broachers, leaflets and banners.

Coordination an important pillar during out breaks has been addressed through constitution of joint working groups of Government, WHO and UNICEF. WHO will go am extra mile to assist the government of Pakistan to save the lives of people through this preventable disease said Dr. Palietha Country Representative WHO.

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