KARACHI, June 30: People of suburban areas near Hawkesbay and Kemari Town, are said to be suffering from eye diseases, skin allergy and fever, due to persisting dehydration, dust and water shortage in the coastal villages.

A nine-member team of doctors, associated with the Aga Khan University, Pakistan Eye Care Society, Kemari Town health officer and Health Committee of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), detected 470 patients, mostly women and children, in Deh Allah Banu, 35 kilometres from the rest of the city, at a medical camp, organized by the PFF.

The people, who came from 16 villages, complained that since 1999 none of the government doctors had visited the area to treat patients.

Urs Bhand, 60, told the PPI that his son and daughter, like other village children were suffering from night blindness.

Mostly, parents use vitamin A capsules to provide temporary relief to the unfortunate children. Adam Bhand, 70, said the wells had either dried up or turned contaminated, so the people are facing acute water shortage.—PPI