Leishmaniasis affects dozens in hilly area, DHQ hospital lacks vaccine

by Rafiullah Mandokhail
ZHOB(Parliment Times): Dozens of children affected by Leishmaniasis – a parasitic skin disease transmitted by sand-fly in different parts of hilly area Shin Ghar north of the Sherani district.
The children have been suffering in Killi Kachh Kazha Mulla Nika, Killi Kamalzai and other villages of Shin Ghar in the east of Zhob city. The DHQ civil hospital lacks anti-leishmaniasis vaccines including other life saving drugs for the last few months that adds to the miseries of patients.
According to Dr. Abdul Qayyum, focal person World Health Organization at Leishmaniasis center DHQ civil hospital, although the patients have approached the center, yet the center has no vaccines against the ailment that caused by the sand-fly bite. “The flies transmitting Leishmaniasis usually exist in warm parts of the district, where the flies can survive,” the official said.
Head of the Leishmaniasis center further said that the disease is locally known as ‘Kaldana’ that is transmitted by female sand-fly bite. Besides treatment he said, he also focused on the awareness regarding preventive aspect of the skin disease that causes deformities and leaves permanent scars on faces. “In initial stage a pimple appears on the skin after the bite, which grows with the passage of time and becomes very ugly and persists for a long time. Sometimes, the period lasts for a year”. He added.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Akhter Mandokhail said that the civil hospital caters to over 0.5 million estimated population of Zhob, comprising dozens of villages, besides the patients belonging to nearby districts Sherani, Killa Saifullah, Musakhail, nomadic population and Pak-Afghan borders areas.
“The hospital delivers services to poor people of far-flung areas. Anti-leishmaniasis, anti-rabies, anti-snake and other life saving drugs are available at the hospital”. He added.