Via Dawn.com: Infections haunt IDP children as displaced number crosses 0.9m. The displacement results from a current Pakistani army campaign against the Taliban; it's provided an opportunity to immunize many children against polio, but it's also causing many other health problems. Excerpt:
BANNU: The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) registered with the Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) reached 910,040 on Saturday and those feeling from North Waziristan Agency face health related challenges.
As the registration of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) continued for the sixth day in Peshawar, 4,500 people were added to the list, which according to the FDMA has reached to 80,122 families, among them 235,499 are male and 261,734 are female, and the rest 393,636 are children who are faced with severe health hazards and ailments.
Almost half of that number, mostly children and women, face serious health hazards due to poor hygienic conditions, in addition to severe hot weather which has increased ARI (Acute Respiratory Infection), gastro infections, skin and other water borne diseases.
Hundreds of patients mostly children, women and elderly tribesmen are arriving at hospitals with gastroenteritis, ARI infections and diarrhea infections but further, the hospital conditions and facilities are inadequate to cope with the situation.
Many of the IDPS are complaining that the children are the most affected as many of them are malnourished as well.
Living in highly unhygienic conditions has multiplied their problems and the infection ratio is very high due to poor sanitation.
Yousaf Shah of Mirali, who brought his two children to the Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital now run and managed by the army stated that rashes and break outs of the skin have appeared on his children who are also suffering from stomach ailments.
He said that most people are suffering from diseases as they are living in highly congested environment with at least 20 to 25 people living in one room.
Furthermore, he said the drinking water and toilet facilities at the host families houses and schools were really poor and could not cater to their needs.
Akran Wazir from Dattakhel who was visiting the District Headquarters Hospital for treatment had a severe heat stroke, while his children were also suffering from gastro infection.
He said that the people living beyond Miramshah belonged to colder areas and the heat here (at the IDP camps) was beyond tolerance.
