By Rafiullah Mandokhail,
ZHOB: Over hundred cases majority of them women and children of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis have been reported in the last three months in Zhob and neighboring district Sherani.
According to senior pharmacist, focal person World Health Organization at District Headquarters civil hospital Zhob Dr. Abdul Qayyum, the recent cases have been reported from Nasarabad, Killi Appozai, Akozai, Takkei, Narezai, Meena bazaar, Laka Band, Garda Babar, Ghundi Sulaimanzai, Bobi Eribzai, Murgha Kibzai and Zhob city, while in Sherani district the patients have approached the diagnostic center at DHQ hospital from Shin Ghar, Mani Khwa, Ghwarlama, Karama, Kurei Wasta, Sangar, Sur Lakki and Ahmedi Darga. For the patients hailing from far-off areas he said, WHO has provided anti-leishmaniasis vaccines but not in a large quantity.
“One hundred and seven patients from different parts of Zhob and Sherani districts have been diagnosed with the skin disease and vaccinated against the ailment that caused by the sand-fly bite”, he said. He thanked National Professional Officer Surveillance and Response WHO Dawood Riaz for his generous contribution and provided vaccines in order to prevent the disease in the region.
When contacted prominent skin specialist at Balochistan level, Dr. Ibrahim Mandokhail, he said Leishmaniasis is a parasitic skin disease transmitted by sand-fly that usually exists in humid environment and warm parts of the region. The disease causes deformities and leaves permanent scars on the faces and other body parts of infected people. He said.
“The disease is locally known as ‘Kaaldana’ that is transmitted by female sand-fly bite,” adding 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.”
He said keeping in view the influx of infected people Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is expected to establish a state-of-the-art center in Zhob to diagnose and treat the patients in the districts fall in red zone. The skin specialist added.
