United Nations Radio

Cases of suspected malaria are increasing in the flood-affected provinces of Sindh and Balochistan in Pakistan, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Women wait in the rain at a roadside camp

The agency says malaria is adding to the already increasing trends of water and vector-borne diseases, especially in Sindh and Punjab provinces.

WHO spokesperson Fadela Chaib says there have been no reported deaths from malaria yet in Sindh and Balochistan where active transmission is ongoing.

"It's possible to expect an increase of malaria cases due to the exposure of people to water. We are expecting this increase to be in the next four weeks. Malaria is endemic in Sindh and Balochistan and WHO has provided diagnostic kits, artemisinin-based combination therapy and other malaria treatment for the population in need."

In addition to suspected cases of malaria, WHO identifies the other three main causes for medical consultations as acute respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases and skin infections.

It says medical treatment has been provided for more than three million people.

WHO also points out that medical supplies covering the needs of over two-and-a-half million people have been delivered, including medicines for diarrhoea.

The agency says it can meet the needs of the health cluster partners for the next two months but more funding will be needed in order to replenish the medicine stock.

It notes that as of Friday, 43 per cent of the $56 million requested by the health cluster has been funded.

Dianne Penn, United Nations Radio.

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