Pakistan flood doctors worry of a never ending war

By Lauren Chalouhi, Editor-in-chief, The Pawprint

Over 2,000 hospitals and health centers were destroyed by the floods in Pakistan. Families and their children are dealing with malnutrition and infection in what’s now a public health emergency.

Doctors are on the front lines of the crises, as the UN launches an appeal for the world to send more aid.

Dr. Ammara says, “It’s very difficult for us. We attended to patients during Covid, but this is tougher because it involves environmental hazards.” She’s a gynecologist four years into her medical career.

She works out of school in rural Sindh province, the area most affected by the floods, which for the time being, had become the headquarters for the district health office after it was submerged.

Dr. Ammara and her team have loaded vans full of medical supplies like bandages, malaria tablets and hepatitis test kits. She says, “We’re taking this to people who’ve been completely cut off since the floods.”

With about 75% of the Sindh district flooded, and many roads underwater, the only way the people can get medical assistance is if it is delivered to them.

“It hurts, it really hurts, I can’t see people like this,” Dr. Ammara says. “I feel bad that we can’t do more.”