ICCI, health officials join hands to raise dengue awareness
A workers carries out anti-mosquito spray in a market amid rising cases of dengue and malaria. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/ Express
Dengue fever kills many people every year in Pakistan and there is a greater need to create maximum awareness to save people from this disease. The dengue cases normally increase in September/October and it is our responsibility to work with the local health authorities to control the spread of the dengue virus in its peak season, said Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari while talking to District Health Officer, Islamabad Dr Zaeem Zia during his visit to ICCI.
Bakhawari said that as per World Health Organisation (WHO), 62 deaths were reported in Pakistan from January to September 2022 from a total confirmed cases of over 25,900 dengue virus. About 74 per cent of these cases were reported in September 2022 which shows the country and the federal capital is vulnerable to this virus.
He stressed that DHO Islamabad and all relevant health authorities should accelerate efforts to create maximum awareness in the people about this dangerous virus to save their lives. He assured that ICCI in collaboration with Market Associations would work with DHO Islamabad for organising awareness sessions on the dengue virus and its preventive measures in the business community and the citizens in the federal capital.
He said that ICCI is also ready to provide volunteers to DHO Islamabad for an awareness campaign. Dr Zia briefed the ICCI president about the plans of his organisation to save people from the dengue virus in the capital. He said that ICCI should join hands with DHO Islamabad for raising awareness about the dengue virus through various campaigns including a cycling event and UNICEF would also be engaged in the campaign.
He said that DHO Islamabad intends to create a sustainable volunteer group in Islamabad that would be provided proper training to cope with the dengue virus. He said that an option on DHO Islamabad’s website would be provided to get online feedback from the citizens. It was agreed that DHO Islamabad and ICCI president would visit various hospitals to see the arrangements to cope with the dengue fever.