PEOPLE living in remote rural areas in Sindh are suffering from malaria. Many of my relatives have been treated with malarial medicine multiple times without any impact. This is because quality medicines are not available, and basic health units (BHUs) in such areas are mostly run by individuals who are usually, at best, compounders.

Pools of stagnant water around villages provide the breeding ground to mosquitoes.

A common malarial parasite, which is usually found in almost every person, is plasmodium vivax. This parasite is the cause of recurring malaria as its pathogens are retained in the human liver if it is not treated properly. Common anti-malarial drugs become ineffective when they are used for this strain repeatedly. Almostevery time, these medicines cost up to Rs2,000. It is difficult for even middleincome households to keep dishing out such an amount repeatedly. Those who trust the `doctor` end up taking ineffective medicines. Of course, they feel no relief, but what options do they have? None.

Even worse is the fact that taking these medicines repeatedly affects the liver, causing jaundice. Is there any government department or official willing to intervene? Nasir Hussain Shahadadkot