KARACHI, Sept 19: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Karachi chapter, has expressed its deep concern over the death of many people from water-borne disease in Landhi, and demanded that all worn-out sewerage pipelines be replaced without further delay.

It noted that majority of the Awami Colony/Dawood Challi tragedy victims appeared to be young children. Some 500 people had to be admitted in different hospitals after they complained of abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, it recalled.

The PMA observed that the epidemic had now become a chronic problem in Karachi but no action had so far been taken against those responsible.

The PMA said that it had long been demanding preventive measures against mixing of sewage and potable water which was the root-cause of the spread of water-borne diseases.

“In Karachi the drinking water pipelines and sewerage lines run parallel to each other. They have become very old and would develop holes and cracks causing leakage or mixing,” it said.

The PMA also called for proper disposal of industrial waste, and urged the government to take legal action against those responsible for water pollution and supply of contaminated water.

It advised all people not to consume water without boiling it properly.—PPI