Punjab government’s efforts to check the spread of dengue fever in the province are proving ineffective, with the increasing number of patients straining the hospital resources set aside for the purpose.
After then ongoing year’s highest figure of 496 patients brought to hospitals in Punjab on Saturday, including 222 in Lahore, another 235 cases of the disease were confirmed during the past 24 hours.
Of the fresh cases, 82 were reported in Lahore, 70 in Rawalpindi, 25 in Gujranwala and the rest in other districts.
The increasing number of patients admitted for treatment has filled the dengue wards of some hospitals, leading to complaints of unavailability of beds for new patients.
The province witnessed the worst day of the year with regard to the spread of dengue virus o Saturday as a record number of patients was confirmed by the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.
“The health authorities are concerned as now the situation is alarming and all efforts to control dengue fever in the province have failed. Now we are receiving record number of patients,” a senior official of the department told The Express Tribune.
“Our difficulties will increase in the coming two months as the winter season is starting and there are expected to be more patients in the hospitals of dengue fever, chest infection and other seasonal health problems,” he added.
The official said the provincial government should consider increasing the capacity in the dengue wards of hospitals and also improve other arrangements to rein in the disease.
He said the official data showed that the situation in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala districts was alarming.
Especially in the provincial capital, about 400 patients suffering from fever were received by the hospitals on Saturday and 222 of them were found infected by the dengue virus.
The are 1,075 patients of dengue fever admitted to the government and private hospitals across Punjab.
As many as 353 dengue patients are under treatment in then provincial capital and with no let-up in the number of fresh cases, complains of unavailability of beds also now being received, the official said.
Dengue fever has claimed 13 lives in Punjab during the ongoing year, including six in Lahore, three each in Rawalpindi and Gujranwala, and one in Gujrat. Total number of confirmed dengue cases in the province during the year is 4,622.
The official data shows that citizens of Lahore, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi appear to be at a high risk of the disease.
"The public can play a constructive role by following our instructions, focusing on cleanliness and not letting water gather in areas in and outside Lahore,” said Punjab Heath Secretary Irshad Ahmad.
“The previous day, we identified 1,782 spots with dengue larva in Lahore as our teams checked 18,697 outdoor locations. We also checked 101,748 indoor locations in Lahore. Across Punjab, we identified 2,794 places with presence of dengue larva. The authorities checked 448,906 indoor and 107,327 outdoor locations as part of continued dengue surveillance across Punjab,” the provincial secretary added.
"There is need that people should care about their health and in case of fever they should consult doctors deputed in the dengue wards. Citizens should avoid the practice of self-medication in the current situation and should immediately visit the nearest hospitals in case of fever,” said Sir Ganga Ram Hospital’s former medical superintendent. Dr Abdul Basit.
He said the province was witnessing the peak season of dengue fever and the citizens would have to remain caution during the coming two months.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2022.
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