Anti-dengue drive resumes in low spirit

The anti-dengue campaign has kicked off in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad after three weeks’ gap.
After the completion of Ramazan ration distribution, the campaign is moving slowly because of the non-availability of available ingredients. Authorities have planned to enforce the Anti-Dengue Act in Rawalpindi district.
The Punjab health department has yet to provide anti-dengue kits, spray pumps, and spray solutions to the Rawalpindi officials. The number of dengue patients in the district has climbed to six. The recruitment process for 1,500 dengue patrol workers and 300 entomologists in the anti-dengue team is still continuing.
Earlier, the anti-dengue campaign was temporarily halted a week before the start of Ramazan to focus on the distribution of ration bags among the needy as all dengue patrol workers were included in the free ration squad.
With the dry season approaching in Rawalpindi next week following recent rains, concerns grow among the officials and citizens about the breeding and spread of dengue larvae.
The anti-dengue campaign has resumed at a slow pace after several anti-dengue workers obtained leaves due to their involvement in the ration distribution campaign. On the other hand, anti-dengue meetings are also being resumed. Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has given strict orders to continue the campaign throughout the Eid holidays with a special plan.
From January 1 to March 28, a total of 195 houses in Rawalpindi were found to have dengue larvae during inspections. During this period, 33 cases were filed, 35 properties were sealed, 78 challans were issued, and a total fine of Rs115,000 was imposed. However, due to a lack of workers, prompt action against 79 source reports, indicating a high presence of dengue larvae, couldn’t be taken despite passing two weeks. There are reports of increased larvae presence in those areas.
All under-construction buildings, plazas, ponds, cemeteries, self-growing five-foot weeds, hemp, and bushes in Rawalpindi have been declared breeding grounds for dengue larvae and mosquitoes. The DC has issued orders to the Chief Officer of the Municipal Corporation to immediately trim bushes and hemp plants and spray them with poison. Furthermore, strict directives have also been issued to promptly dispose of rainwater from tyre shops, junkyards, containers, and discarded tyres.
The DC has instructed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District Education Authority (DHA) to address issues such as water leakage from roofs, standing water in grounds and pots, and cutting overgrown grass in both government and private schools.
Additionally, the establishment of special dengue wards in allied hospitals has been ordered soon. The DC has further asked all the concerned departments to provide updated reports of the ongoing anti-dengue campaign. A strict order has also been issued to start the third-party checking of dengue larva search daily. If larvae are discovered during these inspections, action will be taken against the field teams that declared the areas clear.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2024.