1,000 maternal health facilities destroyed in Sindh flood-hit areas

Islamabad: An estimated 1,000 maternal healthcare facilities have been completely or partially destroyed in flood-affected areas of Sindh province, leaving thousands of pregnant women’s health vulnerable to flood devastations, a state-run news agency reported on Sunday.

In a talk with APP, Senior Medical Officer and Child Specialist Dr Nasrullah Sabki informed that around 47,000 pregnant women were affected by the torrential rains and flash floods in parts of Sindh province.

Dr Sabki said out of total, approximately 9,500 pregnant women were being provided food supplements and anti-tetanus vaccines, registered with the health department.

The expert infectious diseases said pregnant women and newborn babies were vulnerable to a number of diseases due to unavailability of proper medical treatment and hygienic environment in the flood-ravaged areas.

A large number of expecting women had no access to the health centers due to dilapidated infrastructure, he maintained.

They must be provided nearby health facilities with all necessary medicines and medical supplies so that women expecting babies could give birth in a congenial environment, Dr Sabki added.

There was an urgent need of a number of medical and paramedical staffers along with the provision of health facilities in the flood-affected areas, he informed.

Dr Sabki urged the government and other donor organizations to further boost health activities in the flood-hit areas at this trying time.