United Nations Radio

The United Nations has praised efforts by the Pakistani people to help their compatriots, who have been displaced by the conflict in the northwestern part of Pakistan.

Displaced families in Pakistan

It notes that ordinary Pakistanis are opening the doors of their often modest homes and sharing whatever they have with the displaced people no matter how it strains their modest budgets.

Dr. Eric Laroche of the World Health Organization, who deals with health crises and is currently visiting Pakistan, says camps, where some of the people have sought refuge, are well managed.

But Dr. Laroche adds that a major problem is to reinforce the health system of the local communities.

"The health system of the local community is absolutely overwhelmed. There are increased numbers surgical operations. There is increased number of deliveries, increased number of complications of deliveries and so on and so forth. So all the services are attending to 150 to 200 persons more than it was before."

Dr. Laroche says the critical issue is the number of health workers, adding that there is need for more women doctors, because in the Pashtun community women can't be treated by men.

Bissera Kostova, United Nations.

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