KARACHI, Feb 24: Lack of adequate funds at a majority of local government health care units to procure relevant medicines, including the most-cost effective sulphur ointment, to treat scabies is adding to the misery 20 per cent to 25 per cent of slum-dwellers of Karachi.

Dr Naeem Iqbal, a senior dermatologist associated with Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital, in his presentation at a pre- symposium scientific workshop, organised by Pakistan Society of Physicians, mentioned scabies to be the commonest skin problem observed among Karachiites and in all age groups.

About 2O to 25 per cent of inhabitants of local slum areas are inflicted with the condition, he said.

According to him, the disease which is curable but extremely contagious is also found to have effected almost three fourth of the 4,500 inmates of the Karachi Central Prison.—APP