KARACHI, Nov 7: People of Deh Allah Banu, Hawkes Bay, comprising 18 small villages, are facing eye ailments, besides skin and stomach diseases, due to the persisting acute water shortage , malnutrition and absence of any public healthcare facility.

"Majority of the children from 3 to 12 year age are facing night blindness because of lack of vitamin A. However, parents keep vitamin A capsule with them for their children," Khuda Ganj Shad, a social worker of the area told PPI on Sunday.

Mr Shad said that the doctors visiting the area had attributed these diseases to malnutrition among the minor children and the drought-like situation in the area.

While criticizing the role of non-government organizations as well as that of the city government's Health department, Mr Shad said despite their tall claims, no favourable steps could be taken for the betterment of the local population.

He said that in fact the medical camps set up by various NGOs were visited by hundreds of local women and children, but the camp organizers only distributed cheap medicines among them just to prepare their reports to be submitted to the so-called donors.

Terming such practices a mockery of health care facilities, Mr Shad suggested that effective advocacy drives, in consultation with the policy-makers, were needed, besides provision of medical staff at the deserted government-run medical centres in the area, to cure the diseases.

Sattar Bhand, another local activist, said: "Obviously, these areas have been the integral part of the city of Karachi, but we do not have access to potable water and health facilities."

"We have approached several times the concerned local bodies institutions, including Union Council Gabopat and Keamari Town, but all in vain," he said.

Comprising 18 small villages, Deh Allah Banu has only one clinic that has been lying closed for the last seven years.

The clinic was established by the defunct District Council Karachi, where one male doctor, along with a male nurse, used to come once a week to cater to the medical needs of 22,000 people of the area.

Most people, traditionally engaged in livestock and farming, have joined fishing sector for their families' survival, because the lands in the area had turned barren due to no downpour.

The people are compelled to buy potable water from private water tankers, after paying Rs500 to Rs1,000 for a single tanker. - PPI