Govt hospitals yet to set up dengue wards

Surveillance teams recovering mosquito larvae frequently

RAWALPINDI: As the three allied hospitals are full to the brim due to increasing number of coronavirus cases, the district administration has not yet dedicated wards for dengue patients.

The district administration has not earmarked wards for possible dengue infected patients in the Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), Holy Family Hospital (HFH), and District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital.

Sources said that the administration is so occupied with coronavirus situation and has not paid any attention to a possible dengue virus epidemic in the garrison city.

Therefore, the district administration has not yet established special anti-dengue wards or counters in any of the three allied hospitals in the garrison city, the sources added. The Express Tribune has learnt that anti-dengue surveillance teams are frequently recovering mosquito larvae from different spots in the city.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anwarul Haq has directed the surveillance teams to register cases, impose fines, and destroy dengue larvae as soon as it is found recovered.

However, the official expressed displeasure on larvae recovery as reported in a survey report developed by a third party.

The DC announced to take strict action against the responsible teams and department that did not perform duties diligently and culled mosquito larvae.

Sources in the allied hospitals confirmed that no wards have been dedicated for possible dengue patients, adding that the development would be done by mid of July. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2020.