Four dengue cases surface in Swabi

Health officials say awareness drive to be conducted soon

SWABI: As many as four new cases of dengue have been registered in the Swabi district, health officials told the media on Tuesday.

Officials at the Bacha Khan Medical Complex on Tuesday said that the patients, including Bilal, Zulfiqar, Gauhar Ali and Aisha had tested positive for the virus.

The officials said that they were providing treatment to the patients. They warned that the number of dengue patients in the district could rise as few locals had adopted preventive measures even though they had carried out awareness campaigns in the region.

“The district health officer will soon start awareness campaigns about dengue,” he said.

Meanwhile, a free residential facility has opened at the Bacha Khan Medical Complex on Tuesday.

This is the second-ever government-owned facility to open in the province.

The facility can accommodate 30 attendants who wish to stay at the hospital with their loved ones who are undergoing treatment.

75 patients confirmed with dengue at PIMS

Bacha Khan Medical College Principal Dr Fasihur Zaman told The Express Tribune that the college has set up a special counter for attendants of patients to raise awareness about the new facility.

He added that during their overnight stay, guests will be provided two meals as well.

The guest house will have 20 beds for men and ten for women in the hospital, while all required facilities will be provided to them during their stay in the hospital, Dr Zaman added.

He further stated that they were working to provide medical treatment to patients to the best of their abilities.

The Bacha Khan Medical College chief further elaborated that their aim is to minimise patient referrals to Peshawar since they had all medical facilities available and sufficient staff to operate two full shifts in the hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2019.