PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported over 54,000 malaria cases in the past nine months, marking a significant public health crisis in the province.
According to the provincial health department’s data, this surge has raised alarms as multiple districts face a worsening situation. The district of Khyber remains the most affected, with 10,000 malaria cases, followed by Shangla, which is reporting 6,000 cases for the first time, and Battagram with 3,000 cases.
Other districts, including Dera Ismail Khan, have recorded 4,000 cases, while Tank and Karak have each reported 2,000 cases. Lakki Marwat has seen 3,000 cases so far this year.
Provincial Health Advisor Ehtisham Ali has taken notice of the rising numbers and has issued urgent directives to the District Health Officers (DHOs) in the affected areas.
He emphasised the need for immediate action to control the outbreak, particularly in the southern districts. “We must take emergency measures to prevent further spread of malaria,” Ehtisham said, warning that climate change is contributing to the rise in vector-borne diseases like malaria across the region. –Agencies
