The Punjab health authorities and local administrations have failed to prevent the spread of dengue fever that has reached an alarming level with 38 new patients confirmed in the province in past 24 hours.
Official data shows that the situation is most serious in Lahore where 21 of the 38 fresh cases were recorded.
There has been no indication from the local government or health authorities of intensifying anti-dengue measures in the provincial capital.
According to sources in the health sector, dengue is spreading in Multan, Bahawalpur, Vehari and Dera Ghazi Khan, while populous districts, including Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura and Sialkot are also at high risk.
Read Health dept scrambles to curb dengue spread
An official said there was a need for zero tolerance against negligence in eradication of dengue larvae from their hot spots by the local administration of Lahore and other districts at risk.
The dengue most motoring officials have recorded 38 new patients in Punjab during the past 24 hours.
In the provincial capital, 21 new patients of dengue fever were brought to various government and private hospitals.
During the ongoing year, 678 confirmed dengue patients have been identified in all districts of Punjab, including 211 in Lahore. Among the patients, 123 were registered in Multan and 101 in Rawalpindi district.
A senior health official said while speaking to The Express Tribune that all departments having a role in anti-dengue campaigns should be alerted and the caretaker government should take action against negligence of officials in this regard.
He said the district administration officials in whose jurisdiction the number of dengue patients was continuously increasing should be held accountable.
He said the district health departments and local governments of Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi and some other areas had not made timely arrangements during the monsoon rains to curb dengue. As a result the number of patients in the hospitals is increasing.
On Tuesday, dengue cases were registered in Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Dera Ghazi Khan,Vehari, Bahawalpur and Sialkot, showing that the fever is spreading across districts.
The official said hospitals should be alerted to cope with the situation and the people of the province should also cooperate with the authorities to protect themselves and other citizens.
Otherwise, the dengue situation might become a challenge in the coming weeks, he added.
Read more 275 dengue cases reported in Sindh this year
He said the local administrations should focus on hot spot areas, schools, mosques, graveyards and offices for anti-dengue spray.
The official praised the Punjab School Education Department’s decision this week to ban half-sleeve shirts in schools and the citizens should also follow the instruction in offices, parks and other public places.
Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jaan Khan said in reply to a question that no death caused by dengue fever had been reported in the province.
He said 48 dengue patients were under treatment in hospitals across the province. He said the department was satisfied over the arrangements for the treatment.
There currently are 30 patients of dengue fever admitted to hospitals in Lahore. “We have allocated 2,678 beds for dengue patients in the hospitals,” he added.
The department has also launched a free helpline 1033 for citizens to get information and lodge complains regarding the disease.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2023.
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