Pindi residents to take dengue precaution

DHA chief says there is a need to drain stagnant water everywhere

RAWALPINDI: With 22 cases reported in the twin cities thus far, the district health officer has asked residents of the garrison city to take precautions against dengue and mosquito larvae breeding.

This was stated by the Rawalpindi District Health Authority (DHA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Rashid Mehmood.

He asked residents to remove stagnant water inside and outside houses to stop mosquitoes from breeding after rains. Dr Mehmood said that there is a need to remain vigilant against dengue virus-carrying mosquitos to prevent the spread of the virus during the monsoon season.

Rawalpindi seeks civil defence’s help in dengue fight

He said that nothing is more precious than human life and that they will show zero-tolerance over dengue control. The DHA chief went on to claim that dengue is currently under control in Rawalpindi and that the health department is on high alert to cope with any situation.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecasted dust-thunderstorm and rain with gusty winds at isolated places in Rawalpindi division over the next week. Dr Mehmood implored citizens to prevent rainwater from collecting in pools, puddles, or other crevices which can help become a breeding ground for the virus.

Polio drive misses target

Despite the best efforts of the district health authorities and the polio volunteers, the latest immunization drive in selected areas of the garrison city failed to hit its target.

The Rawalpindi health department officials and those from the district administration are now expected to meet with these parents in a bit to try to persuade them to vaccinate their children against the crippling disease.

The DHA had set a target to immunise some 730,000 children in five Tehsils of Rawalpindi during the five-day-long campaign, which commenced on June 17.  However, the drive fell short of its target.

Health dept issues new SoPs as dengue cases rise

Moreover, it is expected that the first-ever quality evaluation of a polio vaccination drive by a third party will be conducted through a company called EPICS instead of the World Health Organization (WHO), from Monday.

The teams will seek the services of social workers and religious clerics for persuading parents and clearing their minds of doubts against the polio vaccine. DHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mahmood told The Express Tribune that a refusal list has been prepared, adding that they will strive to bring the refusal cases down to zero.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2019.