Over 400 children affected by Leishmania in Mohmand

Leishmania has affected more than 400 children in Pandiali tehsil of Mohmand district. Local residents of Pandiali tehsil told media at the district headquarters in Ghalanai on Tuesday, the most affected areas of tehsil Pandiali are Danish Kool, Darra, Garai, Ismail Sher Kali and some areas of Haleemzai.
A local resident of Pandiali tehsil Ghualm Sher said his one daughter was also affected while more than 400 children were also badly affected by Leishmania in various localities of Pandiali tehsil of the district.
Ziaur Rahman whose son was also victim of this disease said "We take our children to Peshawar and Charsadda districts for treatment because Leishmania vaccines are not available at Mohmand hospitals.
"We are paying Rs 700 per vaccine while also paid 2,000 to 3,000 taxi charges which is not affordable for poor tribesmen," Rehman said, adding that most of the children were suffering from the disease from the last two months but the health department did not send health teams or made arrangements for vaccinations to this area.
District Health Officer Dr Alamgir Khan informed that Leishmania was caused by biting of a kind of mosquito called Sandfly present in hilly areas that usually breed in fresh water.
"Sandfly has been transported from Europe to Pakistan. They sting exposed portion of human body and are active during the morning and evening. They can fly up to a height of four to five feet and that is the reason that children are more affected by it," Dr Khan said.
Dr Khan informed the district administration received complaints through social media regarding Leishmania in the district; and said Leishmania vaccines were not available in Pakistan only WHO would provide it in the whole world.
Dr Alamgier said however the health department forwarded a request for the provision of those vaccines to the WHO officials.
It will be mentioned here that last year more than 3,000 peoples were affected by Lieshmania in the various tehsils of the district. At that time Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was provided vaccines to these patients.
Local's residents of the area demanded of the KP CM to provide the basic treatment to their children because vaccines are not available in the entire district Mohmand.