Malaria emergency declared after dengue

Caseload after recent rains becoming increasingly alarming

PESHAWAR:

Emergency measures have been initiated by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Department of Health to control malaria in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The health department has declared 13 districts in the province as high-risk areas. These districts include Bannu, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Lower Dir, Buner, and Shangla.

A review meeting was held under the leadership of the Public Health director to control the outbreak of malaria. Representatives from the Frontier Primary Healthcare Institution, a subsidiary of the Indus Hospital Network, along with the district health officers (DHOs) of the high-risk districts, also attended the meeting.

The malaria situation in all high-risk districts was assessed. It was decided to devise a plan for the effective distribution and use of mosquito nets in these 13 districts.

The participants agreed that the malaria emergency is a result of climate change. A comprehensive policy will be formulated to deal with these conditions. Sources indicate that diseases spread by mosquitoes have increased due to climatic changes.

Health Advisor Ihtesham Ali has also issued directives for emergency measures across the province to control malaria. Although there are concerns about a rise in dengue cases due to the changing weather, sources report that malaria cases are currently being reported in much higher numbers, prompting urgent control efforts.

On Thursday, more than 100 suspected dengue patients were received at the emergency wards of hospitals In Peshawar, with as many as 39 testing positive over a period of 24 hours.

Health officials confirmed to The Express Tribune that over 100 patients reached the emergency department of Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in 24 hours. Their blood samples were collected and sent for screening. Of the total, a staggering 39 tested positive for dengue.

"Around 28 patients are currently receiving treatment at home, while two have been hospitalised," the officials said. Just a day ago, 11 patients were received by the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH).

To tackle the situation, the health department has dispatched special teams to various suburban areas of Peshawar where dengue cases have been reported. On the instructions of Health Advisor Ehtesham Ali, a spray campaign has been initiated in five districts, including Peshawar, Abbottabad, Bannu, Swabi, and Nowshera.

Fogging and fumigation activities have begun in union councils identified as hotspots. The health advisor has directed dengue control teams to immediately visit the affected areas, conduct fumigation, and distribute mosquito nets.