K-P's malaria cases for 2024 reach 54,000

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported over 54,000 malaria cases in the past nine months, marking a significant public health crisis in the province.

According to the provincial health department's data, this surge has raised alarms as multiple districts face a worsening situation.

The district of Khyber remains the most affected, with 10,000 malaria cases, followed by Shangla, which is reporting 6,000 cases for the first time, and Battagram with 3,000 cases.

Other districts, including Dera Ismail Khan, have recorded 4,000 cases, while Tank and Karak have each reported 2,000 cases. Lakki Marwat has seen 3,000 cases so far this year.

Provincial Health Advisor Ehtisham Ali has taken notice of the rising numbers and has issued urgent directives to the District Health Officers (DHOs) in the affected areas.

He emphasised the need for immediate action to control the outbreak, particularly in the southern districts. "We must take emergency measures to prevent further spread of malaria," Ehtisham said, warning that climate change is contributing to the rise in vector-borne diseases like malaria across the region.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department has released data showing the staggering number of cases reported since January, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The provincial government is now pushing for rapid interventions to curb the outbreak before it spreads further.

The health department had 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. 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.

Last 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, 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.