55 more test positive for dengue in Pindi

Officials continue anti-viral fever campaign in different parts of the city

RAWALPINDI: Despite rigorous efforts of the district government, the influx of dengue patients in the three allied hospitals of Rawalpindi continued on Sunday, with as many as 125 new patients seeking treatment.

According to health officials, over the past 24-hours, the three allied hospitals including Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBH), Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and District headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, some 55 patients have tested positive for the virus while 70 suspected dengue patients are awaiting results of laboratory blood tests.

Of those who tested positive, 23 patients had been brought to HFH, 22 to BBH and 10 to DHQ.

During the current season, some 863 dengue suspected patients have been brought to the allied hospitals. Of these, so far 331 patients have tested positive for dengue. However, 674 suspected dengue patients have been discharged so far after being provided with treatment.

Officials say a treatment plan in hospitals is being implemented as per the standard operating procedures (SOPs) developed by the health department.

Meanwhile, the district administration and health officials continued their anti-dengue activities on Sunday. Areas surrounding the Airport Housing Society, Gulbahar Colony, Wakeel Colony Kot Jabi and other areas were fumigated.

All empty plots were drained of stagnant water while indoor and outdoor locations were fumigated.

Moreover, three medical camps set up across the city conducted blood tests to determine if a person was infected with dengue or not.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ali Randhawa has also presented a report on anti-dengue activities and directed officials to expedite anti-dengue activities.

District Health Authority (DHA) Chief Executive Officer Dr Naveed Akhtar urged citizens to support the health department’s teams in the campaign and keep an eye on dengue larvae, especially inside their homes.

He added that if any patient tested positive for dengue, they fumigate surrounding 40 houses.

Dr Akhtar added that their crash programme in the Airport and other adjoining societies had given good results while locals were also starting to play their part in overcoming the spread of diseases.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2019.