Dengue patients swarm Pindi hospitals

District authorities declare emergency as cases continue to rise

As the dengue mosquito has become uncontrollable in Rawalpindi district this season, the Deputy Commissioner on Wednesday imposed a dengue emergency across the district, directing the district health authority to take immediate steps to prevent dengue.

26-year-old Ruqaiya was the 10th victim who died at Holy Family Hospital yesterday.

Medical camps are being set up in high-risk union councils due to the continuous increase in cases of dengue. As 10 patients have lost their lives, the arrival of patients in hospitals continues.

Despite the anti-dengue campaign, 134 people were confirmed to be dengue-positive in the last 24 hours. The number of dengue patients under treatment in allied hospitals has reached 268.

The Potohar Town area remains a hotspot. 134 dengue patients were reported in Rawalpindi district during 24 hours, while the number of confirmed dengue patients has reached 2,277 this season so far.

During the last 24 hours in Rawalpindi district, 57 dengue patients came from Potohar Town, 22 from municipal corporation areas, 28 from Rawalpindi Cantonment, 11 from Potohar Rural , seven from Chaklala, three from Taxila, while two each from Kahota, Gujjar Khan and Kallar Syedan.

S many as 99 dengue patients are being treated at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, 70 at Holy Family Hospital, 51 at District Headquarters Hospital and 48 at Fuji Foundation Hospital.

According to health department sources, a total of 4,035 FIRs were registered against citizens for violating SOPs this year, 1,565 buildings were sealed and 2,767 fine tickets were issued. A total fine of more than Rs18 million was also imposed after dengue larvae were found.

Meanwhile, the Director of Health Services formed an inquiry committee comprising the CEOs of the DHAs of Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum and DHO Attock to probe the alleged recruitment of 1,500 sanitary patrol staff against rules and regulations.

However, after the said inquiry committee didn't submit the inquiry report even after a month passed after a meeting on September 4, the Director of Health Services Rawalpindi, Dr Ijaz Ahmed Gallo penned a letter to the Secretary of Health to take notice of the matter. However, the health secretary also remained silent on the issue.

On the other hand, it was decided to temporarily recruit 500 more field staff on daily wages as despite the efforts of the DHA, dengue has become out of control.

In order to control the situation, dengue medical camps have been set up at Chak Jalal Din, Gulistan Colony, Kotha Kalan, Dhok Munshi and Shakryal Saham, where 537 patients have been examined so far. 223 patients were tested positive for dengue.

Amid a spike in dengue cases, the District Health Authority (DHA) has also decided to recruit 500 more sanitary patrol workers on daily wages.

The moves come after an inquiry into the recruitment of 1500 daily wages sanitary patrol workers was held. As many as 1,380 regular field employees are already at the disposal of the DHA for the anti-dengue campaign.

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Commercial buildings sealed

 

OUR CORRESPONDENT

RAWALPINDI. In response to the rising intensity of dengue cases and the discovery of abundant larvae, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir, along with the Deputy Commissioner, conducted a field visit and sealed multiple commercial buildings where significant larvae were found, imposing a fine of Rs1 million.

Following instructions from the Chief Minister, Health Minister Nazir arrived in Rawalpindi to inspect dengue surveillance in Saddar Bazaar alongside Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema. The officials climbed an iron ladder to inspect a five-story commercial building in the area, where larvae were discovered. As a result, several commercial establishments were sealed.

The minister stated that there would be no leniency when larvae are found, emphasising that the government cannot continue cleaning residents' coolers indefinitely. He urged citizens to take responsibility for their surroundings, noting that all anti-dengue activities are being closely monitored. He added that while dengue is not lethal, it can become dangerous if precautions are not taken.

The health minister instructed all allied departments to cooperate fully with the district administration. Deputy Commissioner Cheema reported that significant fines and the sealing of multiple commercial buildings were part of the efforts to control dengue in Rawalpindi, assuring that all possible measures are being implemented to combat the outbreak.