Government warned of huge loss of lives in quake areas

The Association of Pakistan Physicians of North America (Appna) on Friday warned government of huge casualties in winter if relief efforts were continued with present pace.
"A large number of quake victims could contract deadly diseases like hepatitis, typhoid, diarrhoea and scabies if they were not provided sufficient food and proper shelter," said Appna President Malik Hussain while addressing a news conference here.
He said he and his team including Dr Chohan, chairman social welfare and disaster committee Dr Javed Akhtar, Dr Sobia and Dr Amir had shortly returned from a village 'Kathy' in AJK whose inhabitants were still waiting for help.
Dr Hussain feared any slackness in medical care could lead to complications from previous surgeries and could multiply tetanus cases which he said were rampant in many areas as a large number of quake affected were yet to be immunised.
Government, he said had to accelerate its efforts on preventive front and warned any negligence or laxity could lead to big number of casualties.
"We have decided to adopt the 'Kathy' village and it would be called Apna village," he said while briefing the newsmen about their short and long term plans for the rehabilitation of the quake victims.
To a question, he said they had brought along over dollars two million worth of medical equipment, tents and sleeping bags besides physicians, surgeons and doctors who he said were working day and night both in the affected areas and in hospitals of twin cities.
Apna, he said would establish a rehabilitation centre in Islamabad and satellite centres in Muzaffarabad and Mansehra to rehabilitate those carrying paraplegics and spinal injuries.
"Talks are being held with the administration of Pims, Govt Services Hospital and Shifa International Hospital to set up rehabilitation centre, he said.
"Either we will open an orphanage for the widows who would be allowed to keep their children along with them or we will help the one set up by any other organisation or the government," he maintained.
He said people of Pakistan were facing a natural calamity of colossal magnitude and expatriates would continue supporting them at that time of crisis.
We have also organised a 'Trauma Workshop' at Pims and would set up health centres to cure psychological distress of children and women.