Hundreds of Christians, Hindus and Muslims are being given health care at a Christian post-flood medical camp in Pakistan.
The extreme 2022 monsoon flooding may be over, certainly in terms of secular media attention. But great pools of stagnant water still remain in three Christian villages -Poppat Colony, Ibrahim Khan Mari and Raja Khan Mari – where mosquitos have infected people with malaria and other water-related illnesses. Cases of other water-borne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid and dengue fever, are also prevalent, as is dysentery.
Most of the inhabitants of these villages became ill, but the only medical dispensary in the area was closed due to flood damage and no medical practitioner was nearby. But they were able to access free healthcare during a one day medical camp organised by the British Asian Christian Association (BACA).
The first attempt at a camp had to be postponed as many roads were still unsafe and most doctors were fully occupied due to the scale of the national medical emergency. Eventually BACA found a doctor based nearly 50 miles away, who agreed to help.
On the day over 200 people were seen and 110 received treatment, for infections ranging from Dengue fever, malaria and dysentery to typhoid, and appropriate medical supplies provided.
The poor families who live in these villages work the lands of Muslim landlords and earn around 500 rupees (£2) a day. But the deluge destroyed the crops on all the local fields, so local people have had no income.
Ramial Masih, aged 32, a farm worker from Poppat Colony, said: ‘We spent almost a month in makeshift tents by the roadside. When we returned to our homes, the walls had fallen in and cracks in the roofs meant they were unfit to live in. We have rebuilt our homes, thanks to BACA providing the building materials, but much stagnant water remains in our village and sickness has ravaged our community.
‘BACA have installed a clean water pump to replace one that was damaged. But the medical camp is their biggest gift, we thank every donor who contributed. And the Pakistani Government must do much more to protect its citizens.’
BACA volunteer evangelist Danayl Masih, aged 25, ensured all three local villages knew about the camp and that people of any faith knew they were welcome to attend. He said: ‘It is heartbreaking to see how these communities are clinging on to survival. Water still surrounds their villages and life is uncomfortable and dangerous. Families need solid brick homes that will not collapse in the next flood. But they cannot afford such protection so they will continue to struggle. I pray regularly with the villagers and they believe that God will provide for them.’
The medical camp cost BACA £800, including salaries, travel and medical supplies.
Juliet Chowdhry, a trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said: ‘The camp was a dangerous endeavour and we thank God that the medical team arrived safely and carried out a wonderful service.
‘Roads are still treacherous in Pakistan. The government is focusing on repairing major roads, towns and cities and these small Christian enclaves continue to be overlooked. People there had contracted serious illnesses and many were in dire need of medicine and treatment.
‘It is extremely disconcerting that not one of the Christian villages we have served has even been visited by any government officials or other NGOs. They all need much more help and we will continue to do what we can.’
