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| India-Pakistan |
| Govt in action after 41 children die of pneumonia, malnutrition |
| 2014-03-09 |
| [Pak Daily Times] Authorities on Friday ordered a probe into the death of 41 children who reportedly died of pneumonia and malnutrition in a stretch of the Thar Desert. Officials were alarmed by media reports from Mithi, one of the least developed and most remote districts in Sindh, suggesting that more than 100 people had died because of famine and malnutrition. "It is a very serious matter and we have deputed a senior member of the party and officials to probe into the deaths," Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah told news hounds. The minister also ordered the arrest of senior health officials for neglecting their duties, saying they had failed to move the children to hospitals in the bigger cities. Shah said the cause of the deaths would be confirmed by the investigation but apparently pneumonia and malnutrition were among the reasons. The chief minister said the government records showed the death of 41 children but there were fears that the actual number may be higher. The Thar Desert begins around 300 kilometres from Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... and runs up to the border with India, where it joins the Rajasthan Desert. Poor health and communication infrastructure keeps the district disconnected from mainstream population. The chief minister admitted the authorities had not done all they could to look after the needs of the people. "I admit that the distribution of wheat was not appropriate," Shah said. In 2000, the desert suffered a famine that killed 90 percent of the livestock, the economic mainstay of the area. Chief Minister Shah announced Rs 0.2 million each for the families of the children who died in Tharparkar, and has increased the aid allocation from Rs 9.3 million to Rs 18.60 million. Addressing a presser in Karachi he said the cause of the deaths would be confirmed after an investigation but apparently pneumonia and malnutrition were among the reasons. "Sindh government has ordered a probe into the death of 41 children who reportedly died of pneumonia and malnutrition in Thar," he added. He said director health as well as the director and the deputy director livestock have been suspended. |
| Posted by:Fred |