The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday warned another death wave may haunt survivors in the quake-hit areas during next four months if the international community failed in materialising its aid pledges swiftly.
"The next four months are to be very much critical. We have to reinvigorate our efforts to ensure sustainable shelter and food to the survivors," Director General of WHO, Dr Lee Jong-wook told a crowded news conference here.
He was flanked by Federal Health Minister Muhammad Nasir Khan, WHO Regional Director Dr Hussein A Gezairy, WHO representative to Pakistan Dr Khalif Bile and other officials of the health department.
Dr Lee is visiting Pakistan to assess the continuing health needs of people affected by the earthquake.
Replying to a query, he said the WHO has so far mobilised more than $10 million for providing adequate health facilities to the quake victims and assured continued support in future as well.
He said financial constraints are always a cause but there was no such problem for the WHO as yet.
Dr Lee said they would continue helping Pakistan to rebuild health infrastructure in the quake-ravaged areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and NWFP.
According to reports, the damage and destruction to an estimated 80 percent of the total infrastructure has left majority of people in the affected area without adequate health facilities.
"We will set up 100 prefabricated Basic Health Units (BHUs) in quake-hit areas and it is hoped these units would start functioning before coming Eid," the WHO DG added. He also made an announcement to provide fully equipped ambulances for the quake-affected areas.
Dr Lee praised the response of Pakistan government and the international community but he was of the view that the challenge is huge in the form of damaged health infrastructure, recent snowfall and harsh winter.
Responding to another question, he said there was no major threat of epidemics in the quake-stricken areas as the situation had been brought under control by an effective immunisation campaign.
Dr Lee informed the newsmen that there was no serious outbreak of measles, pneumonia and other diseases in the quake-affected areas. However, the WHO DG stressed on mobilisation of all the available resources to avert another phase of deaths and sufferings of the survivors.
Speaking on the occasion, Nasir Khan appreciated the swift response of WHO and international community after October-8 catastrophe.
He also feared that next four months were very critical. "The question is that all the factors are negative. People have lost their homes, their dear ones and are in great trauma and we have to make a serious effort to save their lives in harsh winter," the minister added.
Nasir Khan said the government has so far faced the disaster very positively but the health problems would continue to occur in the coming days and months for which the government has to remain prepared.
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