IDPs facing grave health risks, says Dr Idrees

Dr M. Idrees Khan Uvas Lahore Department of Epidemiology and Public health said that IDPs were acclimated to cold weather and not familiar to the scorching heat waves of NWFP areas like Mardan, Swabi, Nowshehra and Peshawar. Talking to APP Dr Idrees said that its a great challenge for the concerned authorities to control the situation through proper planning and strategies to protect the victims of terrorism from the diseases in the camps.
Dr Idress said that first to know about the major health problems of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in various relief camps should be discussed as part of the plan. He was of the view that there are chances of outbreak of diseases like Eye infections, typhoid fever (enteric fever), Diarrhea, Malnutrition, Heat stroke, Skin rashes (allergic dermatitis), Psychiatric problem (depression), Dehydration, Severe respiratory problems, Malaria.
Citing the causes of the eye infection outbreak among the IDPs, he said it is mainly due to persistent exposure to sunlight in summer and dusty dry season. As most of them are striving for getting relief from the sources in open and exposed sun. "Second health prevention ailment is typhoid fever for which environment, mental stresses, hunger and poor sanitation are favourable predisposing factors" he added.
Dr Idrees said that the food offered to them should be hygienic. He said that a skin rash is a common dermal allergic problem during dry season, because almost all of the people were suffering due to continuous travelling by foot several hours for escaping from death. He said that the respiratory problems arise as a result of overcrowding, travelling stress and polluted air in camping area. First appear in mild form but soon attain chronic level.
He urged for ensuring the availability of water for drinking and washing purposes in adequacy, food items for fulfilling the need which should follow quality level for health, improve flush system and sanitation of the camps, special care for children and women in the camps and for ensuring the availability of good quality drugs with in the camping area.
"First aid boxes should be provided at group level, children above five years should be properly engaged for their mental development because in this age adoption level is very high in kids, so here is a dire need to keep them busy in healthy activities and refrain them from indulging in negative activities", he said.