The devastating floods in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have created not just an immediate humanitarian crisis, but a looming health catastrophe. As we have seen during and after floods over the past several years, receding floodwater does not signal an end to people’s misery. The problem just evolves, as health hazards created by waterborne diseases and poor sanitation become the primary threat.
Unfortunately, disease prevention remains a major problem even in the best of times, making it no surprise that the Pakistan Medical Association recently issued a grave warning that “the lurking threat of outbreak can kill more people than floods did.” Hospitals and health authorities are already witnessing rising cases of acute diarrhoea, dengue fever, malaria and skin diseases in flood-affected regions. Children have been particularly vulnerable, with thousands requiring treatment.
These outbreaks highlight the need to integrate clean drinking water and proper hygiene facilities into the flood response strategy. The interventions are not particularly expensive and can save hundreds of lives. All that is needed are basic hygiene kits with soap and water purification tablets. Without such interventions, the government’s deployment of medical camps and paying compensation are reactive bandages on bullet wounds. Healthcare workers may be able to treat some victims of waterborne diseases, but this will divert their attention from other people whose ailments may not be as preventable.
Of course, this would be easier if the public water infrastructure were more trustworthy to begin with. A UN report from last year noted that despite the country’s water system covering 92% of the population, only 36% of water supply was considered safe for human consumption. This is compounded by the fact that about 10% of Pakistanis still lack access to a toilet, and confoundingly, millions who do have access choose to go in the great outdoors as a matter of choice.
