THE prevalence of waterborne diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid are increasing as more and more children are known to suffer because of consuming unclean water.

Polluted water directly affects kidneys and liver, causing fatalities. As seen in the media reports on the deaths of infants in Thar. Those suffering from malnutrition and waterborne diseases, are the poor and vulnerable communities who have no choice but to drink polluted water. Without access to adequate nutrition, their health further deteriorates.

Recently, an inquiry commission appointed by the Supreme Court established that the issue of poor quality of drinking water in Sindh should be remedied but the provincial government has failed to act in this regard. The commission’s report says that 78.1pc of all water samples tested were found unsafe for human consumption.

Moreover, the condition of water filtration plants has not improved. The government must consider the health and well-being of its citizens more seriously.

The Sindh government must take immediate measures to ensure clean drinking water is accessible to rural communities unable to financially fend for themselves.

Riaz Ahmed Rustamani

Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2017