Hospitals set up isolation wards amid mpox scare

Rawalpindi's district health authority says no cases of disease reported so far

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi District Health Authority (DHA) has taken preemptive measures by setting up isolation wards in ten hospitals across the district for potential monkeypox cases, despite no reported disease incidents so far.

The preparations include three teaching hospitals and seven tehsil headquarters hospitals, where doctors have been trained and necessary protocols have been put in place.

According to officials, the DHA has implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for monkeypox and trained doctors and support staff across the district. Isolation wards have been established in major hospitals, including Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBGH), District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), and Holy Family Hospital (HFH), as well as in seven tehsil headquarters hospitals.

DHA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Asif Arbab Niazi confirmed that although there are no reported cases of monkeypox in the district, all necessary instructions, training, and arrangements have been completed to ensure preparedness. He also announced that an anti-polio campaign is set to begin on September 9, with all preparations in place.

Additionally, Dr Niazi mentioned the upcoming "Big Cage Up" vaccination campaign, scheduled for September, aimed at protecting five-year-old children who missed their vaccinations against seven infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign targets those who were not previously vaccinated, with preparations and training already underway, though the exact start date is yet to be finalized.

Meanwhile, the DHA continues its anti-dengue campaign with increased efforts. Dr Niazi noted that surveillance for dengue larvae is being intensified in areas with a history of dengue outbreaks to prevent further spread.

Dengue cases remain a concern in Rawalpindi, with 14 individuals currently receiving treatment in local hospitals—four each at HFH and DHQ, and one at BBGH. Authorities have inspected 11,000 houses, finding dengue larvae in 796 of them. This has led to 1,512 cases being registered for non-compliance with anti-dengue regulations, the sealing of 42 locations, the issuance of 1,483 challan tickets, and fines totaling Rs6.2.