Health authorities in Pakistan have received permission from the government to purchase 6.2 million mosquito nets from India as it battles mosquito-borne diseases due to floods.
According to the details, the World Health Organization (WHO) is using financial resources provided by Global Fund to acquire the nets for Pakistan. The Global Fund offered to procure these mosquito nets from India if the government of Pakistan allows its procurement from its arch-rival neighboring state. As a result, the health ministry sought permission from the government which it has now received.
Read more: As deaths increase, water-borne diseases in Pakistan spiral out of control
To clarify, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is an international financing and partnership organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, that aims to attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to support attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.
It is expected that the mosquito nets will be obtained from India by the mid of November via the Wagah route.
Malaria: A new challenge for Pakistan
Times have been tough for Pakistan recently. After the devastating floods, Pakistan is now battling mosquito-borne diseases which thrive in water-logged areas.
Over 41,000 dengue virus cases were reported in Pakistan this year. This year, the dengue virus has claimed 84 deaths. 12,947 dengue cases have been reported in Sindh with 43 deaths. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 11,613 dengue virus cases and nine deaths were reported, while in Punjab this year 9,410 cases and 25 deaths were reported.
"Climate carnage beyond imagination"
17% of Pakistan is still flooded, 2 months after its worst climate-driven disaster in history
The country is now battling a 2nd wave of catastrophe: malaria, cholera, dengue, water-borne diseases and malnutrition#refugees #lossanddamage pic.twitter.com/bfpslq8e4r
— Assaad Razzouk (@AssaadRazzouk) October 9, 2022
Dengue fever claimed seven lives in Islamabad, while 3,169 infections were reported in the federal capital territory. In Balochistan 3,948 virus cases and in Azad Kashmir 677 infections were reported, however, no deaths were caused by the disease.
Read more: WHO warns about Pakistan’s humanitarian situation
WHO has voiced its concern over the second wave of disease outbreaks in the flood-stricken areas of Pakistan. Urging the international community to “do a lot more” to help save lives in Pakistan, WHO’s representative in Pakistan Dr. Palitha Mahipala Saturday said that they were expecting 2.7 million malaria cases in 32 districts by January 2023.