Tharparkar drought: Supreme Court seeks report on steps being taken to address malnutrition in children

The Supreme Court on Monday sought report from Secretary Health Sindh pertaining to preventive measures being taken to address malnutrition especially in children in the drought-hit area of Tharparkar in two days. Besides, the court directed Chief Secretary Sindh to submit a report, explaining when UN had warned the Sindh government of the looming threat of drought and scarcity of food in the catastrophic area.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and comprising Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh resumed hearing of suo motu notice over the severe drought in Tharparkar claiming score of children lives in the desert. During the course of hearing, the Advocate General Sindh expressed the provincial government regrets over the human tragedy in Tharparkar saying that the Chief Minister and government functionaries were making efforts to redress the tragedy.
The Chief Justice observed that crisis was brewing on account of negligence on part of the administration, adding that if the current case proceeding is over then there would be no relief activities in the drought-hit area. During the course of proceeding, the court was informed that according to a survey of 2,59,000 households were severely affected whereas a total of 73,000 bags of wheat weighing 100 kg each were distributed so far.
According to a report of Deputy Commissioner Tharparkar, remaining 13,000 bags of wheat would be distributed soon. About lack of healthcare in Tharparkar, Secretary Health Durrani admitted there has been dereliction of duties, adding that since the crisis has erupted, as many as 425 show cause notices were issued to doctors.
He apprised the bench that out of 44 Union Councils, 20 Union Councils have malnutrition, adding that ready to use therapeutic food have been distributed with the help of FAO. The Chief Justice issued directives to Secretary Health to submit report over the planning to address the crisis in the effected area in two days and also directed Chief Secretary Sindh to submit a report by explaining when UN had warned them of drought and scarcity of food in the drought-hit area. Hearing of the matter was adjourned till March 20.