In Sindh’s district of Tharparkar, this year alone many children have died because of the acute malnutrition and food scarcity in the region. Poverty, homelessness, and high illiteracy have led to poor maternal health during pregnancy, which endangers the life of both the mother and the child. Most women do not have access to sufficient food or health care support and are unaware of the dietary requirements. Resultantly, most infants have innate deficiencies that are worsened by malnutrition. Even children who do survive beyond the age of five are faced with frequent health-related issues that arise from the deprivation of vitamins, minerals, etc.
There is an absence of civil and public hospitals in the district and the ones that do exist are underfunded. The hospitals do not have adequate equipment to support patients and most practitioners/surgeons and nurses seldom come for their shifts. Unfortunately, the people cannot afford to travel to other cities to seek medical treatment or better livelihoods.
With the continuous population growth, the problem is worsening in not just Tharparkar but in other areas of Sindh as well. Although the Sindh health ministry recognises the problem and announced plans to set up more health facilities, these efforts need to be speeded up. Perhaps, the health ministry should work with non-governmental organisations to tackle the issue comprehensively. People, especially women, must be educated and informed of the importance of a healthy diet and provided with sufficient food and supplements for good health. There is also a need to facilitate sanitation and raise awareness on good hygiene, which can help curtail the issue to some extent.
UMMER ABBASI
ABBOTTABAD
