Health dept struggles to curb dengue spread

Official says 23 more cases reported in Pindi district on Tuesday

RAWALPINDI:

The health departments operating within the Rawalpindi district have exhibited a profound inability and a marked sense of helplessness in their efforts to curtail the proliferation of the dengue larvae as the number of cases has risen to 1,300.

Currently, Rawalpindi's government hospitals are caring for 450 dengue patients, with 19 of them in critical condition. Meanwhile, private facilities are attending to over 550 individuals battling dengue, and nearly 300 people are opting for self-medication at their homes.

At the three allied hospitals, dengue patients are only given Panadol, while families are instructed to buy necessary juices and medications from local markets. Moreover, the increased influx of dengue cases has led to a surge in prices at hospital canteens and juice stands, with a single glass of juice now reaching prices as high as Rs250.

As per sources, dengue larvae are being reported from designated dengue hotspots i.e. Rawalpindi's Airport Housing Scheme, Chamanzar Colony, Dhaman Syedan, Fuji Colony, and Pirwadhai every day. In this regard, the deputy commissioner has issued orders to conduct fogging in all hotspots daily to curb the spread of dengue larvae.

Due to a lack of proper treatment and care at the hospitals, the family members of dengue patients are forced to transfer their patients from Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBGH), District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), and Holy Family to their homes. On the other hand, the hospital administration pretended to discharge all these patients while declaring them recovered to cover for their lack of ability to treat these patients.

It has also been discovered that dengue workers in Chaklala and Potohar are working off the field and issuing reports from homes. There has also been an increase in absenteeism in every third union council of dengue employees.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2023.