KARACHI, Oct 8: The Pakistan Medical Association has expressed its concern over the increasing number of malaria and gastroenteritis patients and warned that the incidence might assume epidemic proportions if preventive measures were not taken.

General Secretary of the PMA Karachi Dr Samreena Hashmi requested City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal to declare emergency in the health department and ensure that fumigation was carried out in all parts of the city and its outskirts.

Besides, she said, every government hospital must have adequate facilities to deal with gastroenteritis cases assuming almost epidemic proportions in the city. “Heaps of waste and garbage must be removed on a daily basis,” she observed.

She further said that sewage drains and lines needed to be properly covered as they otherwise had turned into most potent sources for breeding of mosquitoes and flies.

Dr Hashmi urged the masses to use boiled water for drinking. In case of diarrhoea and vomiting, they were advised to use ORS. If the condition could not be controlled within 24 hours, the patient concerned should see a qualified doctor, she said, and warned: “Please do not resort to self-medication.”

People were asked to always wash their hands before eating and after using toilet. Besides, she urged citizens to keep all food items and drinks properly covered and avoid eating ice candies and other items sold on pushcarts or at the makeshift stalls without proper provision for hygiene.

She expressed the hope that the nazim and the departments concerned would extend due attention towards cleanliness and would also prevent outbreak of waterborne diseases.—APP