July 13, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 27, 1428

ISLAMABAD, July 12: The health ministry is facing shortage of manpower for its relief operation in the flood and cyclone affected areas, a meeting held to review the official health response was informed on Thursday.

“This shortage is acute in case of lady health workers and lady doctors,” the source said adding this issue becomes particularly serious when seen in view of the cultural and traditional context in which the relief work is being carried out.

The health ministry had earlier decided to send teams of doctors and paramedics from federal hospitals to the affected areas in Sindh and Balochistan. However, these teams appear to have partially solved the problem.

Major portion of the already scant health infrastructure in the affected areas had been damaged by cyclone and the floods.

The meeting was also informed about the urgent medical supplies needs of the affected districts.

Health Minister Nasir Khan assured that more anti-snake venom and emergency medicines shall be provided according to their requirements.

The government claims 80 per cent of the medical requirements of the flood-affected people have been fulfilled.

Cases of diarrhoea, scabies, skin rash and malaria have been reported from various districts in Balochistan, while Sindh is in process of streamlining the disease monitoring system.

The meeting discussed possible measures to prevent and treat these diseases including provision of clean drinking water and mosquito nets.

The ministry had set up health emergency preparedness & response (HEPR) cell for monitoring the situation and working in coordination with National Disaster Management Authority and other national and international partners to deal with the post-flood situation.