KARACHI, July 5: A delay in the onset of monsoon, and sizzling temperatures has exposed the Karachiites of almost all age groups, particularly children and women workers, to conditions ranging from boils and impetigo (skin infections) to heatstroke.

Doctors serving in localities such as Manzoor Colony, North Karachi and Shirin Jinnah Colony said this time there was marked increase in the incidence of impetigo in children, which compared to previous years was assessed to be more by up to 30 per cent.

“This is definitely around 60 per cent more common among children below five years,” Dr Maria working at a health care unit in Manzoor Colony told APP on Wednesday.

The facility managed by a local NGO, Health-Oriented Preventive Education (HOPE) composed of Karachi-based doctors was stated to be also witnessing victims of heat strokes being brought from different factories.

“These are mainly young girl workers, generally anaemic and weak, forced to work under conditions with no provision for cross ventilation at their workplaces,” Dr Samia Rasheed said.

These young girls aged between 17 and 27 years working at garment factories and packing departments of pharmaceutical units and so forth were found to be unable to brave the heat, the doctor elaborated.

The doctors who also run their private clinics in the evening said children belonging to otherwise strong economic backgrounds had also been more commonly being referred with boils and impetigo.

“This is a definite outcome of the delay in rains depriving the public of a much-needed respite,” Dr Mobina Agboatwala of the Civil Hospital, Karachi said.

All doctors approached by the APP were of the unanimous opinion that regular bathing could be of considerable help to those suffering from skin conditions, which are generally benign but cause itching and discomfort.

As for the cases of heatstroke, the doctors stressed the need for improved working conditions, proper ventilation, improved hygiene and cleanliness with easy availability of potable water for the workers.—APP