Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammed Khan Mahar has said that all precautions would be taken to save the lives of the people threatened because of water pollution in the city water reserves and shortage of medicines in hospital of Thatta district.
Mahar was presiding over a meeting on Saturday to examine the situation created by the supply of contaminated water to the people of Thatta and shortage of medicines needed for the treatment of waterborne diseases.
The quality of water has deteriorated in the entire lower Sindh due to discharge of toxic waste in downstream Kotri in River Indus.
Only in Hyderabad, dozens of people are reported dead and many more admitted to hospitals for treatment. Those affected by the polluted water are mostly children under five years of age.
The chief minister said that all measures would be adopted to save people from the effect of poisonous water and hospitals must be ready to face emergency.
He ordered the health department to ensure availability of medicines in sufficient quantity.
Mahar asked officials of the city government, health department, and irrigation department to prepare themselves to meet emergencies.
He asked the irrigation department to ensure supply of water to the tailenders so that sufficient water was available for drinking as well as for irrigation purposes.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing development schemes in Thatta. Senior officials and concerned ministers attended the meeting.