Karachi Faces Health Crisis: Contaminated Water Causes Diarrhoea Outbreak Among Children
Karachi, Pakistan’s industrial hub, is facing a severe health crisis due to contaminated water. Residents are at serious risk, especially children under five, who are disproportionately affected by a diarrhoea outbreak.
Contaminated Water
From February to April, the Sindh province health department collected over 50 water samples from different districts of Karachi. Tests revealed harmful bacteria like Vibrio cholerae, E. coli, and total coliforms. These contaminants have led to a significant increase in diarrhoea cases.
Impact on Children
Noreen, a mother from Kemari, shared how her 3-year-old son developed diarrhoea after drinking tap water. Hospitals are overwhelmed with similar cases. Dr. Khalid Shafi, a paediatrician, confirmed that the diarrhoea epidemic is spreading rapidly due to contaminated food and water.
| Hospital | Monthly Diarrhoea Cases |
|---|---|
| National Institute of Child Health (NICH) | 2,000 |
| Civil Hospital Emergency Department | 750 |
| Lyari General Hospital Outpatient Department | 800 |
Negligence and Response
Mohsin Raza, General Secretary of the People’s Labour Union, blamed the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) for not ensuring proper water purification. Only three out of nine filter plants are operational, and chlorine levels are 40% below the ideal amount.
Intikhab Rajput, Chief Engineer at KWSB, denied the chlorine issue but acknowledged that some filtration plants are damaged and under repair. The Sindh Health Department is managing the diarrhoea cases to the best of their abilities.
Doubts Revealed
Karachi -: Karachi is a big city in Pakistan, which is a country next to India.
Contaminated Water -: Contaminated water means the water is dirty and has harmful things in it that can make people sick.
Diarrhoea -: Diarrhoea is when someone has to go to the bathroom a lot and their poop is very watery. It can make people very weak and sick.
Outbreak -: An outbreak is when a lot of people get sick with the same illness at the same time.
Bacteria -: Bacteria are tiny living things that can cause diseases. They are so small you need a microscope to see them.
Water Filter Plants -: Water filter plants are places where dirty water is cleaned so it is safe to drink.
Chlorine -: Chlorine is a chemical used to kill harmful bacteria in water to make it safe to drink.
Sindh Health Department -: The Sindh Health Department is a part of the government in the Sindh region of Pakistan that takes care of people’s health.
Karachi Water and Sewerage Board -: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board is the group responsible for providing clean water and managing sewage in Karachi.
