DHO declares Swat dengue-free region

Health dept now working to eradicate Congo virus from region

MINGORA: Not a single case of dengue has surfaced in Swat district this year. This was said by Swat DHO Dr Saeed Ali Khan while he was presiding over a meeting at the district health office on Thursday.

“We can declare Swat a dengue-free zone,” he said. “This has been made possible through preventive measures and awareness created among the people by the district health department.”

According to Saeed Ali, the possible outbreak of dengue virus was feared in the district. “As a result, the district health department launched anti-dengue drive that has so far produced fruitful result,” he added.

The DHO said mutual cooperation between all departments working under the government and the community helped rid Swat of the virus. Saeed Ali added a campaign has been launched against Congo and poliovirus.

“The district health department has spearheaded drives to counter the possible spread of Congo virus,” he said.

The DHO said the health department is also working hard to rid Swat of polio.

He also announced that employees of the health department will have no Eid holidays.

“This has been done to facilitate the people,” he added.

The meeting was also attended by the representatives of People Primary Health Care Initiative (PPHI) and various other departments working under the district health department.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2016.