33 more test positive for dengue fever

Hospitals struggling to cope with rush as number of dengue patients rise to 214

RAWALPINDI: The allied hospitals in Rawalpindi are struggling to cope with influx of dengue patients.

The district administration was unable to get rid of the virus despite crash programmes of fumigation in areas prone to spawning of mosquitos.

During last 24-hours, some 33 more dengue positive patients were brought to the hospitals, escalating the number to 214 patients, hospital sources said quoting official data.

Meanwhile, the Railway and Cantonment General hospitals are still awaiting establishment of a dengue ward owing to which allied hospitals including in Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBH), Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital are considering extension in dengue wards to accommodate influx of patients.

Meanwhile, the teams of district administration and District Health Authority (DHA) have setup three medical camps in Potohar Town. In these medical camps, the patients are tested for free and presence of virus is determined on the spot and they are moved to hospitals.

Nine more test positive for dengue in Rawalpindi

The teams have been performing anti-dengue operations in sensitive areas including Airport Housing Society, Gulbahar Colony, VIP Colony, Nawaz Colony, Wakeel Colony, Kot Jabbi etc. The removal of bushes, de-watering and fumigation in areas of town is being conducted on regular basis to eradicate any signs of dengue larvae.

According to sources, the effective fogging against dengue is producing positive results while the government has decided to proceed with crash program operation until even a single dengue patient was present in the area.

The health department has also launched dengue surveillance operation in educational institutions and trade centres.

Meanwhile Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner, Muhammad Ali Randhawa has ordered the official concerned to seal the property and lodge an FIR against the owner where dengue larvae are found.

The harsh measure has been adopted to prevent spread of an epidemic which may affect thousands of people.

Dengue larvae found in three schools

Presiding over a meeting regarding arrangements being made for tackling of dengue, DC warned that action would be taken as per law against the commercial institutions, junkyards, tyre shops and owners of under-construction places violating the anti-dengue laws.

Randhawa directed the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to ensure that all the water tankers of building should be cleared where dengue larvae may breed. The DC said that special focus should be made on the cleanliness of water drainage system, covering of ponds of all standing water and conducting of fumigation spray in the vulnerable areas.

He also directed officials of the concerned departments to create awareness among the people to keep their houses clean and leave no place wet or with stagnant water. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2019.