K-P fear ‘stronger’ dengue attack in 2020

DG health tells PHC virus to die off by the end of the month as temperatures drop

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director-General of Health has claimed that the dengue epidemic will be over by the end of this month. The health director has also directed the authorities to make arrangements to combat the spread of the virulent fever and create awareness regarding dengue control for the next year.

Meanwhile, Peshawar High Court (PHC) has summoned the health secretary on October 17 to respond to a petition against the spread of dengue. In his remarks, Justice Qaiser Rasheed warned that the chief minister and the provincial health minister may also be summoned at the court if the situation worsens.

The health minister reportedly disappears after attending meetings and undergoing photo sessions, he remarked while heading a two-member bench to hear a petition filed by Saifullah Mohib Kakakhel at PHC where he was accompanied by Justice Abdul Shakoor. The petitioner had called upon the authorities to take measures for control of dengue in the province.

Additional Advocate General Sikandar Hayat and Health Services DG Dr Arshad Ahmed Khan and Dr Imran and Peshawar Assistant Commissioner Usman Jilani were present at the hearing.

DG health said that 4,108 dengue cases have been reported in K-P so far this year. He said that none of the 2,120 dengue patients from Peshawar had expired. He said that currently, 157 dengue patients were undergoing treatment at various hospitals of the city while the remaining had been discharged.

Natural death of dengue

The weather has changed and as such, the dengue virus will die off by the end of October, the health director said. While the viral fever remained under control to some extent in 2019, next year’s dengue is feared to emerge stronger than ever for which measures must be taken.

Justice Qaiser Rasheed remarked the health minister claimed to be busy deliberating with the doctors. “We may summon the health minister if dengue is expected to be more threatening next year so that he takes steps in this regard. If the situation is even more alarming, why should we not also summon the chief minister as precious human lives are at stake and we want him to take steps in this regard while all departments concerned must also continue their activities in regions affected with dengue,” Justice Rashee said

Assistant Commissioner Usman Jilani presented a report at the court and maintained that the authorities have so far conducted sprays in 9 union councils of Peshawar covering 29,000 households. A total of 220 teams were formed for the task while anti-dengue sprays were administered between October 7 and 11. Steps are also taken to eradicate dengue larvae from at-risk homes, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2019.