Dengue resurgence rings alarm bells in health dept

At least 18 patients reported in Punjab even before start of season

RAWALPINDI: Poor performance of the health department has caused the deadly dengue virus to resurge even before the arrival of its season as doctors confirmed presence of the disease in a resident of Union Council Morgah.

Due to improper arrangements for treatment at the allied hospitals, patient have been shifted to a hospital in Islamabad while the number of dengue patients in Punjab has risen to 18.

The cases also include another patient from district Attock of Rawalpindi division while seven cases are from Lahore and seven from Faisalabad.

Report of dengue patient in Rawalpindi has created panic among the health officials, while Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa has also taken serious notice of poor arrangements against the viral disease and advised the authorities to expedite the search for dengue larva and initiate door-to-door awareness campaigns.

After a dengue case surfaced in Morgah, the district authorities started taking action for anti-mosquito sprays in various neighbourhoods. In addition, special wards with dedicated staff have been set up in all three government hospitals of the city including Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital and District Headquarter Hospital. From now on, dengue patients will be shifted to allied hospitals only.

RWMC awareness drive

Officials of Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) distributed waste bags and pamphlets outside mosques after Friday prayers to highlight the importance of cleanliness and prevention of dengue.

They told people about lifecycle, prevalence, treatment and prevention of dengue. Friday’s campaign was in front of Masjid Alfurqan and Jamiya Rizvia Ziaul Aloom in UC-19.

The teams called upon the residents to keep an eye on junkyards, schools and under construction buildings which lead to spread of dengue larvae and leave no place wet or with stagnant water.

“The teams also urged the people to keep our surroundings neat and clean. This will help us to live healthy and better lives. Keeping our surroundings clean will only help in the betterment of society,” RWMC spokesman said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2019.