A recent tragedy has added to the growing number of children falling victim to malaria in Sindh. Reports on Saturday revealed that this marks the sixth child to lose their life to this mosquito-borne disease in just one week.
The latest victim was an 11-month-old child from the village of Samandar Khoso. Unfortunately, despite being rushed to Jacobabad Hospital in critical condition after contracting malaria, the child did not receive timely medical attention, leading to this heartbreaking loss, as reported by hospital sources.
The Sindh Health Department has raised the alarm about the escalating malaria crisis, with a staggering 269,596 reported cases in the province. Troublingly, the health department’s figures indicate that from January to August, the Hyderabad division alone recorded 132,441 cases of this deadly disease.
Also Read: During an Institute of Public Health seminar, an explicit video raises eyebrows.
Mirpur Khas reported 65,807 cases, Larkana recorded 48,499 cases, and Sukkur reported 11,591 cases. Additionally, Shaheed Benazirabad accounted for 4,924 patients. However, there was a ray of hope in Karachi, which reported 1,834 malaria cases over the past eight months but thankfully no fatalities, according to the health department’s report.
Health officials have pointed to last year’s unprecedented rainfall and flooding in Sindh as a major factor contributing to the surge in malaria cases, with stagnant floodwaters still affecting several areas. The distressing increase in child deaths underscores the urgent need for improved malaria prevention and treatment measures in the region.
