Efforts intensify to fight dengue epidemic

Balochistan records highest cases; K-P witnesses dramatic drop

PESHAWAR:

Numerous concerted efforts have been launched in Peshawar, in collaboration with relevant institutions, to combat the persistent menace of dengue that has plagued local residents for nearly a decade.

This year, stringent preventive measures have yielded remarkable results, with the number of dengue cases dropping precipitously. Since January, a mere 51 cases have been reported, marking a remarkable decline in the province’s dengue burden. In fact, Peshawar boasts the lowest number of cases across the country, standing at a total of 234.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Commissioner Peshawar, Shah Fahad, expressed optimism about the situation. He announced that only 51 dengue cases had been reported in Peshawar, and all affected individuals had successfully recovered. This achievement is the result of a comprehensive strategy implemented to control dengue in the city.

The dengue control efforts in Peshawar are multifaceted, encompassing insecticide spraying, fogging, and daily household inspections conducted by district administration teams to detect dengue larvae. Subsequent actions are taken promptly based on the presence of these larvae.

Shah Fahad said that the dengue virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, with these mosquitoes laying eggs in stagnant water. Therefore, it is imperative to prevent the accumulation of water in homes, including covering water tanks and containers, and ensuring that even air coolers do not become breeding grounds for these disease-carrying insects.

He emphasized the significance of taking preventive measures such as installing mesh on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from infiltrating households. Moreover, it is highly recommended that everyone, especially children, wear long-sleeved clothing and take comprehensive precautions against mosquito bites.

On a broader scale, a meeting convened under the leadership of Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadim Jan celebrated the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Department for its proactive and timely measures in dengue prevention.

This gathering, which also included discussions on the prevailing health landscape across provinces, underscored the importance of swift actions against dengue while encouraging other provinces to emulate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s success in this regard.

Attended by all provincial health ministers, secretaries, the director-general of health services, and senior officials from various health departments, the meeting covered an array of critical healthcare topics. Apart from dengue prevention, the discussions revolved around Sehat Card services, malaria, hepatitis, medication procurement, and financial considerations.

Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadim Jan lauded Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s commendable efforts in dengue prevention this year. He underscored the significant reduction in the number of positive dengue cases in K-P compared to other provinces.

The meeting featured a presentation of dengue case statistics, revealing that, as of now, Balochistan has reported the highest number of cases at 2,627, followed by Punjab with 1,961, and Sindh with 1,014, while K-P had the lowest count at 234 cases.

The meeting placed substantial emphasis on the procurement of medications within the allocated budget. Further discussions on budget allocation are scheduled for the upcoming week, during a meeting between the K-P health department leadership and the federal health minister. The minister stressed the importance of maintaining robust dengue prevention efforts across all provinces to safeguard the nation from potentially perilous diseases like dengue.

In attendance from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were Dr. Riaz Anwar, Health Advisor to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Health Secretary Mahmood Aslam Wazir, Director General Health Services Dr. Shaukat Ali, and other key officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2023.