As a result of the heavy rainfall and floods across the country outbreak of diseases like diarrhea, skin allergy, eye diseases, cholera, dysentery, malaria, typhoid, scabies, gastro-enteritis and other waterborne diseases are affecting a large number of displaced people in the flood-affected areas.
This was stated by Amal Masood communication officer of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) while talking to Business Recorder here on Wednesday. To cope with these diseases the medical teams working in the flood-hit areas across the country need life saving drugs, vaccines for malaria, cholera, typhoid, influenza and pain killers, antibiotics, IV cannulas IV Drip sets, local anesthetics (injections) cotton bandages, surgical instruments; needle holders, forceps, tweezers, suturing materials, skin staples and water purification tablets, she said.
She further said that usage of contaminated water, humidity and hot weather were the main reasons behind the eruption of these diseases among the flood affectees. The people need life-saving drugs to save their lives, however, there is no shortage of life saving drugs and medicines in affected areas as the government is providing timely medicines according to the demands of the provinces, she added.
Chairman Pakistan Pharmaceutical and Manufacturers Association, Mian Shuja-ur-Rehman revealed to Business Recorder that if rains and floods continue in the country it will disrupt communication links for supply of raw material to pharmaceutical companies which will definitely affect medicine supply resulting in shortages. And if the situation remains the same it would directly affect medicine supply in the affected areas, he added.
During a market survey, sources revealed that in the next few days the country will face medicine shortage which will cause a rise in prices of medicines as some dealers have started hoarding; price of surgical equipment have already increased by 50 percent in the local market. The situation regarding the raw material supply will ease when the raw material and imported medicines stuck at Karachi port are released and supply through trucks and rails start after communication links are restored.