BAJAUR: Scores of internally displaced persons (IDPs) were infected with various bacterial, airborne, and skin-related diseases in their camps here on Tuesday.

Sources told Dawn that a number of IDPs of Lowi Mamund and War Mamund tehsils were affected by multiple diseases.

The sources said that cholera, throat infections, dermatitis, itching, pruritus and malaria were affecting the people.

The local health department has yet to issue any official statement over the spread of diseases among the IDPs. However, the district administration confirmed the emergence of infections among the IDPs, in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, soon after knowing the emergence of different diseases among the IDPs, deputy commissioner Shahid Ali Khan directed the local health department to tackle the issue by setting up medical camps with immediate effect.

The deputy commissioner’s office said around 2,350 IDPs infected with cholera, throat infections, dermatitis, and malaria, received treatment at these medical camps attended by scores of doctors and health experts. The statement said that free medicines were also provided to the affected persons in these camps.

Moreover, the statement said a special nutrition session was also arranged for children at the IDP camp in the Bajaur Sports Complex, where they were provided food supplements and vaccinated against diseases.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2025