MITHI: Eight more babies died in different parts of Thar on Wednesday from a variety of ailments including waterborne diseases, malnutrition and other viral diseases, raising the death toll in the drought-hit desert region to 121 since the beginning of this year.

The deaths were reported from Mithi, Chhachhro, Nagarparkar, Islamkot and Dahli talukas. An infant girl who suffered from respiratory problems died in Bhadaar Halepoto village, a newborn baby died in Khensar village, a baby girl died in Gogasar village, six-month-old Abdul Razzak died at a private hospital in Mithi and six-month-old Saleemat died in Mubarak Rind village.

In Tala village near Chelhar town, a mother died during delivery of child and her newborn girl died at a private hospital in Mithi town. The mother died at the civil hospital where she was referred after delivery. Another newborn died in Giloi village.

Dr Jai Parkash, deputy health officer of Tharparkar, claimed that only 40 children below five years of age had so far died due to a variety of diseases, of them 35 died at the Mithi Civil Hospital, three at rural health centre in Chhachhro and two at RHC Nagarparkar town.

He said that a total of 162 children suffering from pneumonia and other diseases were under treatment at the civil hospital and other hospitals in the district. Despite the unabated deaths the situation was well under control, he claimed.

Meanwhile, Shafiq Ahmed Mahesar, divisional commissioner of Mirpurkhas, has expressed dissatisfaction over performance of lady health workers. He said while chairing a meeting of health and revenue officials and activists of NGOs that he had issued last warning to absent workers posted in Thar.

Power supply to RO plants cut off

The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company has disconnected power supply to reverse osmosis plants in a number of villages in Chhachhro and other areas over non-payment of Rs25 million dues.

The villagers dependent on the plants for their daily water needs complained to journalists that the power to the plants had been cut off on Monday.

Having deprived of drinking water amid prevailing drought conditions and deaths of children had pushed them to the verge of their patience, they said and demanded the government take notice of the situation and solve the issue as soon as possible.

Lawyers protest over Thar children’s deaths

SUKKUR: A large number of lawyers staged a demonstration outside the district bar office against the Sindh government, accusing it of killing children in Thar.

The lawyers blamed negligence on the part of the government for the unabated deaths caused by malnutrition, hunger and viral diseases. But shamelessly, they said, the government kept harping on the same tune that ‘everything was all right in Thar’.

They demanded provision of medical facilities and food to the Thar residents and special attention to the healthcare of children.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2016