Alarm raised over surge in dengue cases
Several dengue patients are isolated in mosquito nets at the Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi. PHOTO: ONLINE
Fearing an increase in dengue cases due to rains, the Provincial Dengue Monitoring Committee on Tuesday directed relevant departments to remain alert.
The Provincial Dengue Monitoring Committee met at the Civil Secretariat with provincial ministers Jamal Nasir, Mansoor Qadir and Azfar Ali Nasir besides the Chief Secretary of Punjab, Zahid Akhtar Zaman, in attendance.
The additional chief secretary, secretaries of various departments and health officials also participated in the meeting that was joined by the divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners through video links.
The committee expressed concerns over the rise in dengue cases in Multan and issued instructions to determine its reasons.
The meeting also decided to take action against the field staff over negligence in the anti-dengue activities.
Caretaker Minister for Primary Health Jamal Nasir said the CBC test facility had been provided in rural health centres for dengue diagnosis.
He said that the Healthcare Commission should play a role in improving dengue reporting from private hospitals.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2023.