Two more infants succumb to malnutrition in Thar

MITHI: Malnutrition continues to take lives of infants in drought hit desert region of Thar, as two more children died in Mithi’s Civil Hospital on Sunday.

According to details, 4-year-old son of Muhammad Umar, resident of Garyancho and Deedar Hussain’s new born daughter were the latest victims of the chronic malnutrition in the area.

It may be recalled thirty children have lost their lives during current month of October, while the death toll has jumped to 532 during this year so far.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Imran Khan was presented a report pertaining to the worsening state of living conditions in drought stricken Tharparker, where malnutrition has claimed lives of a number of children.

In a comprehensive report, PM Khan was apprised of the terrible circumstances inside Sindh’s district of Tharparkar.

Premier expressed his serious concerns over the matter and directed relevant authorities to prepare a relief package for the famine-ridden population of Thar.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on October 19 directed the health department to set up medical camps in every district so as to deal with with the health issues as a result of drought-like situation in Tharparkar.

While presiding over a high level-meeting, Murad Ali Shah asked health department to seek assistance of medical universities in providing medical facilities to the people of Thar.

Murad Ali Shah directed the health department to implement mother health programme in its true letter and spirit. He directed Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Shah and Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah to review the Drought Mitigation Act and give a detailed presentation to him so that it could be implemented with necessary improvements.

The chief minister said that Social Welfare department is launching cash transfer progarmme for pregnant and lactating women. Under the programme, 2300 women would be given conditional cash of Rs1500 for 13 visits to health facilities and Rs4000 on  the time of delivery to each woman.

He also directed the health department to establish a health Information Management System not only for Thar but for while Sindh.