ISLAMABAD, June 9: The medical teams of International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have escorted 119 quake-affected families, considered high risk for travel due to health-related problems, back home.

More than 69,572 people from over 13,000 families were screened by the medical teams before providing transportation to all those returning to their places of origin since March 20, according to information available from the IOM.

Under the health checks done with the recommendation of Ministry of Health and international humanitarian community, 63,738 people (91.6 per cent) were declared healthy and fit to travel; 5,562 (8.0 per cent) were found with minor ailments or chronic diseases, but were in stable condition to travel home; 119 (0.17 per cent) needed medical escorts; and 153 (0.22 per cent) were unfit to travel and were referred to medical facilities.

The 119 vulnerable people who were escorted by IOM doctors and paramedic staff included weakened infants and elderly, women with 32-week pregnancies and one- week post-partum, individuals with major disabilities like unstable chronic illnesses, multiple amputations, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, poorly-controlled epilepsy, psychosis, pulmonary, cardiac and severe asthmatic cases.

“Sensitive to risk factors involved, local staff was hired who made a comprehensive orientation to identify acute health problems linked to their travel,” said Bernard Kofi Opare, IOM health coordinator.

In early May, four women at Fateh Jang camp had mature pregnancies and were advised by IOM doctors not to travel back home.

They were shifted to a medical facility and their families to H-11 relief camp in Islamabad. Later, those mothers along with their newborns were provided transport for safe travel to their native villages in AJK. — APP