Doctors Warn Pakistan Post-Flood Diseases, Trauma May Kill More Than Floods

(MENAFN) Northern Pakistan reels under relentless rains and devastating floods that have obliterated vast stretches of infrastructure and farmlands, destroying hundreds of homes, roads, bridges, and wiping out livestock.

The survivors now confront an even graver crisis: widespread waterborne illnesses and psychological trauma.

In response to this looming health catastrophe, government health officials and aid organizations have rushed to establish temporary clinics and medical camps across northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, aiming to manage surging cases of waterborne and skin diseases.

Since August 15, more than 400 lives have been lost in rain and flood-related incidents throughout the province, according to the provincial disaster management authority.

"Post-floods situation is even more dangerous as the lurking threat of outbreak can kill more people than floods did," cautioned Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, secretary general of the Pakistan Medical Association, a nationwide medical professionals’ body.

Speaking to media, Shoro emphasized the urgent need for an immediate "prevention plan" that ensures access to clean drinking water and hygiene essentials to curb the escalating health risks.

"Considering the given hygiene conditions, we cannot fully contain the outbreak and possible deaths, but a smart prevention plan can reduce the volume of a secondary disaster to a good extent," he said.

Dr. Mohammad Zahid Latif, head of health at Al-Khidmat Foundation, one of Pakistan’s largest NGOs, reported a sharp rise in waterborne and skin diseases in the flood-devastated areas.

"Thousands of people, mainly children, have arrived with complaints of diarrhea, gastroenteritis, dengue fever, malaria, and skin issues. Thousands more (with similar complaints) are still stranded on the outskirts due to the blockade of roads and washing away of bridges," Latif told media.

Beyond physical ailments, reproductive and mental health challenges have escalated among the affected communities.

"Many affected people have been brought to us with severe trauma and stress disorder because of the disaster they have gone through," Latif said, warning that while physical injuries may heal within weeks or months, mental trauma will linger far longer.

Reinforcing these concerns, Ataullah Khan, spokesman for the provincial health department, confirmed government efforts to tackle both health and psychological fallout.

"In addition to communicable diseases, people are also facing trauma and acute stress disorder. To handle the issue, the provincial government has sent trained psychiatrists to the flood-hit areas in collaboration with psychiatrist associations," Khan told media.

The crisis in northern Pakistan deepens as authorities race against time to prevent the next wave of disaster—disease outbreaks that threaten to claim more lives than the floods themselves.

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