[Published: Wednesday August 04 2010]
WHO responds to Pakistan floods
04 Aug-(ANA)-The worst floods on record in Pakistan are placing the health of hundreds of thousands of people at risk, with a high threat of water-borne disease outbreaks and immense damage to health facilities, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
The organisation is coordinating the response of health partners and supporting Pakistani authorities by sending medicines and related health supplies capable of treating more than 200,000 people to the affected areas in the northwestern region of the country.
Major health concerns at the moment are the control of water-borne diseases, including diarrhoeal diseases and respiratory infections, treating the injured, helping to ensure the quality of clean drinking water and ensuring public access to health facilities with the emphasis on increasing the number of female health workers.
About 46 of Pakistan's 135 districts have been affected by the flooding. At least 39 health facilities have been destroyed, resulting in a loss of tons of medicines. There is a tremendous need for more medical and related materials to treat people affected by the humanitarian emergency, as well as to immunize children, particularly against polio and measles. (ANA)
FA/ANA/04 August 2010----------
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