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KARACHI, Nov 26: Recent laboratory tests conducted by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) made it evident on Monday that a mosquito infestation in Deh Allah Bano in the Gabopat union council of Keamari has led to a wave of cerebral malaria cases.
Dr Qaiser Sajjad, the secretary-general of the PMA Karachi, said that mosquitoes plagued the area’s residents even during the day, despite a reported fumigation some time ago. “The area needs regular medical services, hygiene facilities and a supply of fresh water for drinking and washing purposes,” he said.
Following news reports concerning an unidentified viral fever that killed a number of people, including two pregnant women, in the 18-village Deh, the PMA recently organised a medical camp there. Free medical assistance and medicines were provided to the people and the PMA set up a laboratory facility to inquire into the cause of the recent deaths. Blood samples were taken from 75 patients and malaria tests were conducted.
A PMA report issued on Monday said that the people of Deh Allah Bano, which is located about 15 kilometres from Hawkesbay, were traumatised by the deaths of 16 people due to an unknown fever in the past two months.
The blood tests showed that Falciparum Malaria parasites, which cause severe brain complications known as cerebral malaria, were present in about 85 per cent of the samples.
The samples were also tested for CBC, typhoid and LFT but no significant change was found in this regard, said the report, concluding that the Deh Allah Bano deaths were caused by cerebral malaria.
Referring to the non-availability of drinking water, the PMA report said that the area’s residents collected rainwater for drinking and washing, and there was an urgent need of a supply of fresh water. In terms of a general review of women’s and children’s health, it said that 60 per cent of the women were found to be anaemic and emaciated, while most of the children were suffering from abdominal, throat and eye-related problems. A number of patients were also found to be suffering skin diseases.
The PMA said that it was the government’s responsibility to provide basic health facilities to all the citizens of Pakistan. All the dispensaries and clinics in Karachi, particularly those in Keamari town, should be made functional and fumigation drives should be regularly carried out twice a week.
Expressing concern about the unavailability of a basic health facility of Deh Allah Bano, the PMA pointed out that there were 20 government dispensaries in Keamari town but only seven were in working order. The remaining 13 dispensaries had no basic medical facilities at all.
There is currently no health facility in Deh Allah Bano. The only small, three-room dispensary wears a deserted look since it was not made functional after its inauguration in February 1995, claimed the PMA, adding that the people of the area do not even have access to public transport to take patients to a suitable hospital.
