Opinion

How Is Transparent Hands Fighting Prevalent Diseases in Flood-Affected Areas?

Published by
Web Desk

Pakistan is among the countries that have been most severely impacted by global warming and climate change. This year, floods have spread death and destruction across the country. Millions are still struggling to recover from the effects of the recent and ongoing floods in Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), 1182 people have already been injured. The number is alarming because, without timely first aid and treatments, even minor injuries can result in serious infections. Besides this stagnant water, contamination, and lack of sanitation can result in outbreaks of waterborne and vectorborne diseases. That’s why it is important to provide immediate medical care to the flood victims.

Transparent Hands has led the way by organizing free flood relief camps in Pakistan’s most flood-affected areas without delay. Their prompt response has been saving lives. Let’s explore the organization’s role in fighting prevalent diseases in flood-affected areas and why it deserves your attention and support.

The Devastating Effects of This Year’s Floods

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), around 905 people have died since June 2025. Over 48% of these deaths occurred due to flash floods, while around 28% people died due to house collapses, and over 7% deaths were caused by drowning incidents. More than 3.8 million people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas till now, and 3900 villages have been affected by flooding.

Prevalent Diseases in Flood-affected Areas:

While rescue operations are carried out to save lives from the floods, the number of people living in temporary shelters continues to rise. One of the most imminent threats to the flood-hit families and the evacuated population is the spread of diseases. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, more than 164,000 flood survivors have already been treated for various diseases, but numerous still await first aid and medical care. The provincial Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported a sharp spike in waterborne and infectious diseases, including cholera, dengue, malaria, respiratory infections, and skin infections.

Transparent Hand’s Flood Relief Efforts Across Pakistan

Transparent Hands, the leading crowdfunding platform in Pakistan’s healthcare sector, launched its flood relief initiative without delay when flash floods hit thousands in KPK. The organization has extended flood relief to various flood-affected areas in Punjab, AJK, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Specializing in providing surgical and medical care to the needy, Transparent Hands is playing a key role in bringing essential healthcare services to flood victims in Pakistan.

The organization’s flood relief camps provide free consultations with expert female and male doctors, first aid, medicines, and diagnostic tests. Their  medical experts also hold preventive healthcare sessions to empower the flood victims with essential knowledge about how to prevent disease and health-related issues.

One of the best features of Transparent Hand’s camps is the availability of female doctors, who have been checking female flood victims. This is important because of cultural sensitivities and the fact that female patients feel more comfortable and willing to be examined by doctors of the same gender.

Let’s discuss some of the prevalent diseases and health conditions treated by Transparent Health’s medical team.

Injuries:

According to the NDMA data, 654 injuries are reported in Punjab, 208 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 78 in Sindh, 52 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 34 in AJK. Transparent Hand’s flood relief camps have been providing free first aid and medicines to the injured, including bandages, dressings, and antiseptics to prevent infections that may cause more serious diseases. Moreover, antibiotics and analgesics are given to the patients in need.

Diarrhea & Gastroenteritis:

Diarrhea and gastroenteritis can easily spread in flood-affected areas due to a lack of sanitation and contamination of drinking water and food. The lack of proper toilets and handwashing facilities can aggravate the spread of diseases like diarrhea and dysentery, particularly in overcrowded living spaces. Unchlorinated water can further worsen the situation. During and after the 2022 floods in Pakistan, Diarrhea was one of the most reported diseases.

While Transparent Hands has been providing medical assistance and guidance to flood victims affected by Diarrhea. To treat diarrhea, they have been providing Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and other medicines.

Malaria:

Stagnant flood waters provide perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can bring vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. To treat Malaria, Transparent Hands has provided the flood survivors with antimalarial drugs. Their medical team also offers free malaria diagnostic tests. The disease is likely to increase soon after the floods. Transparent Hands is prepared to fight malaria in the country’s most flood-affected areas.

Sharing insights about malaria during floods, Dr. Ahmed Fawad Syami, Medical Director of Transparent Hands, said:

“Vast areas of stagnant water are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which can increase the prevalence of Malaria and Dengue cases. With timely diagnostic tests and effective medicines, Transparent Hands is playing a key role in fighting malaria in the flood-affected areas across Pakistan.”

Eye, Ear, and Respiratory Conditions

The risk of getting eye infections increases during floods due to contaminated water that carries bacteria, viruses, amoeba, and parasites. Direct exposure to floodwater can cause eye infections, such as conjunctivitis, and other complications.

Similarly, exposure to floodwater can cause ear infections, especially Otitis Externa.

Several factors contribute to the spread of respiratory conditions. The dampness and moisture of flooded buildings can create an optimal environment for the growth of mold. Inhaling mold spores and mycotoxins can cause severe allergic reactions and may even trigger asthma attacks, leading to more serious issues such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

Overcrowding also plays a role in creating conditions that cause a rapid spread of respiratory viruses and bacteria that may lead to cold and influenza.

Transparent Hands’ flood relief camps dispense antibiotics, eye drops, ear drops, multivitamins, and general medicines to provide relief to people with such conditions.

Skin-Related Diseases:

Prolonged exposure to contaminated flood water with bacteria, chemicals, and fungi can cause skin-related diseases, especially when a person has an injury or an open wound. Warm, humid conditions are perfect conditions for fungal infections. Therefore, it is essential to keep wounds clean, use soap and clean water, and seek medical assistance when injuries occur. Transparent Hand’s medical team has been assisting patients with skin-related conditions.

Support Transparent Hand’s Flood Relief Efforts to Save Lives

With your contributions, Transparent Hands aims to help around 400,000 flood victims in Pakistan. They are providing the following healthcare services:

  • Free First Aid
  • Free Diagnostic Tests
  • Free Medicines
    • Antibiotics
    • Antimalarial
    • Antipyretics
    • Analgesics
    • Anti-inflammatory
    • Eye Drops
    • Ear Drops
    • Multivitamins
    • General Medicines
  • Free Check-up by Female and Male Doctors
  • Diagnostic Tests:
    • Malaria Tests
    • Free BSR and Blood Pressure Tests
    • Hepatitis B & C Screenings
    • Free Uric Acid and Hemoglobin Tests
  • Preventive Healthcare Sessions
  • Food Packages, Tents, Clothes, and Mosquito nets (in specific areas)

As the scale of devastation from the floods widens in Pakistan, Transparent Hands is expanding its relief efforts to more flood-affected areas in KPK, Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan, and AJK.

Your donations can enable them to assist a greater number of flood victims and save numerous lives across Pakistan. Join Transparent Hands’ flood relief efforts today.

 

Web Desk

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