medicine health
“In the absence of proper health care in our village, we usually try traditional remedies." - File Photo

UMERKOT: An epidemic of viral cough has broken out in some areas of Achhro Thar region in Sanghar district and children between the ages of a few days and 16 years are the worst victims of this severe cough.

The areas of Sadau, Ranau and Jafarau of the region are the worst-hit by the unprecedented epidemic.

Local people said that children contracted the disease from camels. Recently several camels died of this epidemic in the area.

In Goth Tarr Kharo near Sadau, which comprises 42 households having 55 children, almost every child is suffering from this strange cough. This has spread to Thoorahoo, Janhaar, Sobharo, Maankor, Tarr Ahmed, Tarr Hayat, Pataho, Sargaoo, Hingoraoo and many other villages near the Sadau, Ranau and Jafarau.

People's Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) of the district health department of Sanghar has failed to take notice of this mass-level epidemic and the poor people have left no option but to apply traditional remedies to treat their affected children.

High officials of the concerned departments are not aware of the alarming situation in the area.

Located in the eastern side of Sindh and spread over 4,805 square kilometers along the Indian border, there are two union councils, UC Bilawal and UC Kamil Hingorjo, having population of 55,000.

There are two basic health units, the BHU Sadau and BHU Jafaru, but the building of BHU Jafaru is occupied by Rangers personnel whereas the Sadau has only one medical officer to treat patients of these scattered areas.

This reporter reached Tar Kharo after a seven-hour drive on a jeep through the sand dunes in white desert from Hathungo. This is the last town that is connected with metallic road and located besides the fenced border of India and Pakistan.

When this reporter entered the village, people thought that a health team had arrived and they started bringing their children. Almost every villager brought three or four children with severe coughing.

Already weak because of malnutrition, cough has worsened their health. They were unable to talk due to continuous cough. Some of these were coughing so much that they were unable to stand and breath.

“The disease spread among camels in our village last month, killing several of them. First infants contracted the cough and then it started to spread among teenagers and now adults are falling victim to this epidemic,” said Hanif Arisar, a resident of Tar Kharo.

Villagers said that children were unable to sleep in the night because of cough. Many children complain of itching in their throats and some faint while coughing.

“In the absence of proper health care in our village, we usually try traditional remedies, including feeding milk of a black coloured donkey, but it doesn't work and there is no way to treat our children,” said elderly Mir Hassan Arisar of the same village.

Villagers demanded of the government to declare emergency in Achhro Thar and immediately send teams of doctors to treat their children. “The disease is spreading fast in other areas and if not treated immediately, it will spread in other towns and cities of district Sanghar,” warned Mr Arisar.

When contacted, Medical Officer of BHU Sadau Dr Hathi Singh confirmed that the disease spread in these villages. But he said he did not have sufficient funds to treat these children. High officials did not respond when he had informed them about any epidemic in the past.

District Executive Officer (EDO) of Health in Sanghar Dr Mushtaq Memon said that he did not know about such disease in Achhro Thar and no one from the area had so far contacted his department. “We have not received any information about such epidemic in the area. If we know, we are unable to do anything because Basic Health Units (BHUs) are under control of People's Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) and they have to look after such cases in the area,” said Dr Memon.

However, Programme Director of PPHI-Sindh Dr Riaz Ahmed Memon said that though BHUs were under control of PPHI, but in case of any epidemic the district health department had to take initiatives.

“But despite that I will send some teams of doctors to the area to check what's going on,” said Dr Riaz.However, Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed declined to issue any statement. “Minister Sahib is busy and he does not prefer to talk to media persons,” said coordinator to health minister Zeeshan Ahmed while responding on minister's personal cell phone.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.