Dengue claims another life

Two brothers had died earlier; more doctors deployed

RAWALPINDI: Dengue virus claimed the life of a 60-year old woman on Wednesday as 68 more victims of the mosquito borne disease checked into government hospitals.

The victim, Rasheeda Begum, from Gulzare Quaid area, was admitted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) four days ago with complaints of dengue symptoms.

Succumbing to the deadly virus, she passed away on Wednesday. The hospital administration, however, closed the file saying the patient died of heart failure. The administration maintained that although the victim was suffering from dengue fever, she was facing other health problems as well.

Further, the count of dengue patients in garrison city has escalated to 1,127 out of which 997 were admitted to hospitals. The epidemic has gone out of control of the district administration and health authorities.

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At least 68 new dengue patients were admitted to Rawalpindi’s allied hospitals in the past couple of days. Of these 52 belonged to Potohar Town, the worst dengue-hit area of Rawalpindi division.

Meanwhile, in a move to hide their incompetence or prevent public panic, the provincial and district administration has barred hospital administrations from providing numbers of dengue patients to media.

Punjab Chief Miniser Usman Buzdar has directed the health minister and health secretary to visit Rawalpindi.

In view of the outbreak, the provincial government has put the services of all doctors and paramedical staff of Rawalpindi division at disposal of allied hospitals of the Rawalpindi district.

The District Health Authority (DHA) has handed over services of 40 doctors and 35 nurses to Rawalpindi Medical University Vice Chancelor. These doctors and nurses will be posted in allied hospitals to attend dengue patients.

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Moreover, the staff of anti-dengue squad has been increased from 1,400 to 3,500. The squad has been provided with more fogging machines and spray.

Of the three allied hospitals, 330 dengue patients came to BBH and presently 48 were admitted there, 507 were brought to HFH and 87 were still addimitted there, 256 dengue patients came to DHQ Hospital of which 61 were still there.

Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza today visited Basic Health Unit Kirpa in rural Islamabad.

He observed the facilities being provided at the health centre, speaking on the occasion Dr Mirza said under Islamabad Model Health City initiative of his ministry all BHUs are being upgraded in Islamabad. BHU Kirpa is also being transformed into model primary health facility.

“BHUs have been made functional and we are monitoring them now,” Mirza said adding that health services are right of the people and negligence in provision of facilities to the public will not be tolerated. He said poor people have same rights as the rich.

54 more dengue cases surface

“We are determined to provide health facilities to those living below the poverty line,” Mirza said in line with vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan all resources are being mobilised to uplift the health sector in the country.

He directed officials at BHU Kirpa to share a list of the required staff and vacant positions and advised the doctor and paramedical staff to ensure their attendance and punctuality Mirza said his ministry was making efforts towards strengthening primary health care.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2019.