Zhob falls in high risk in falciparum, vivax malaria

Rafiullah Mandokhail

ZHOB: In order to raise awareness against malaria and save the lives of citizens from the disease, speakers at a seminar asked the participants to take precautionary measures against the disease. The seminar was organized by Human Development Foundation under PPAF-PPR project in union council Shahabzai of the district.

Deputy District Health Officer Dr. Zahid Mehmood, District Coordinator Malaria Control Program Usman Sherani, Ex-Nazim union council Painda Gul Mandokhail, Director DAWN Grammar school Kaleemullah Mandokhail, teachers, students from the UC schools, parents and people from different walks of life were in attendance.

Speaking on the occasion acting Team Leader HDF Naeem Gul Mandokhail in his welcome speech said that the seminar was aimed at educating and sensitizing people about the gravity of disease. He said the organization has been struggling for social mobilization, health, education and for the improvement of peoples’ living standard in the poverty-hit districts including Zhob for the last couple of years. Dr. Zahid Mehmood, Usman Sherani, Painda Gul Mandokhail and SCO Bakhtiyar Khan addressing on the occasion said that highly endemic in rural areas, the malaria is a vector borne disease that is caused by a parasite.

“The disease causes high fever with rigors and chills, nausea, vomiting and body ache. Children and pregnant women are the worst sufferers,” they said. The speakers termed lack of awareness among the people, one of the reasons behind its spreading. The health officials said that Zhob district falls in red zone for the disease. Vivax malaria and falciparum malaria exist in the region, particularly in river bank villages. It is to be mentioned that the Health department and Malaria Control Program have also started anti-malaria fogging drive in the city.