Islamabad, Oct 13: Almost 20,000 cases of different diseases, including acute respiratory tract infection (ARI), measles, hepatitis, malaria, cholera, diarrhoea, scabies and injuries have been treated by Muslim Aid in flood-affected areas of Pakistan since 29 July 2010.
Due to heavy flooding, an overall number of these diseases are slightly above the average level. Muslim Aid believes in “Prevention is better than cure”. So we have taken various steps and provided medicated mosquito nets to prevent and control a malaria epidemic in the flood-hit areas, says Dr. Hammad Habib, Health Coordinator Muslim Aid.
Water purifying tablets, per sachets were distributed and we arranged various awareness sessions of hygiene and cleanliness, he informed. Rapid screening and diagnostic test facilities are available in Muslim Aid inflatable hospital in Jampur.
The screening and diagnostic tests can detect in a single drop of a person's blood, in a few minutes, the presence of malarial infection. Such rapid diagnosis and effective treatment saves lives." says Dr. Hammad.
As part of its response activities so far, Muslim Aid has provided free medicines, mosquitoes nets, aqua tabs and an ambulances service is available round the clock to all its medical camps and inflatable hospitals. Over 8000 patients in Punjab, 6000 in KPK and 7500 in Sindh have been provided healthcare facilities as part of Muslim Aid flood emergency response.
Updates on Health response in flood-affected areas
Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa (KPK)
• Location: BHU Gulabad
• Type: BHU (Static Unit)
• Catchment area: Agra, Charsadda (20000 population)
• Activities, issues, best practices, needs and new events
Muslim Aid team here consists of one doctor (male), one LHV, one dispenser and one driver with ambulance. The staff at BHU is doing an excellent job despite all the difficulties. Most of the government staff is usually not available. According to the Medical Officer, there is a tremendous rise in the OPD since the taking over of the BHU by Muslim Aid. It has increased from a daily average of 15 to 20 patients per day (PPHI managed) to a daily average of over 100 patients now. Daily OPD is the main activity being carried out in the facility. All the medicines are provided by Muslim Aid. DEWS and HMIS routine reporting is carried out efficiently. Till now over 5600 patients have been examined in the OPD and managed and 97 Health sessions have been conducted. Vaccination is also carried out by the government staff.
Punjab
• Location: Kotla Mughlan, Jampur Rajanpur
• Type: Field hospital
• Catchment area: Jampur, Rajanpur
• Activities, issues, best practices, needs and new events
The field hospital is a working very efficiently for the since 28th August 2010 having an average daily OPD of around 240 patients. The health staff consists of 3 doctors, 2 dispensers, 2 LHV, 2 dressers and 1 lab technician. Also the ambulance services are provided for the referral purposes. The govt. BHU at this location is still non-functional. Free OPD and emergency services are being provided to all the surrounding community. Till now, more than 6000 patients have been examined and managed and 87 health sessions have been conducted. There is also IPD facility and 15 Village Health Committees have been formed in the catchment area. In fact Muslim Aid is the first organization to establish these village health committees in the area.
Sindh
• Location: Field hospital at Kambar Shadadkot
• Type: Static facility / Mobile Health Unit
• Catchment area: Kambar @ Shadadkot
• Activities, issues, best practices, needs and new events
There is one static unit and one mobile unit. The medical team here consists of 4 doctors (2 males and 2 females), 2 dispensers and 1 LHV. Services provided consist of the daily OPD and emergency services. This hospital is having an average daily OPD of about 120 patients per day at both the places. Till now, more than 7000 patients have been examined and managed in the OPD and 62 health sessions have been conducted. MCH services are also being provided by the lady doctors including the Ante-natal and post-natal services.
• Location: Camp hospital at Thatta
• Type: Medical camp at the tent village
• Catchment area: Thatta
• Activities, issues, best practices, needs and new events
The camp hospital had been running successfully till about a week ago. As all the people have moved back to their houses and the tent village has been closed so Muslim Aid has also closed its activities here temporarily.
