Mosquito panic: 8 DHA screening machines providing 5-minute results
‘Cleanliness and open areas’ contributing to high dengue rate in posh areas.
LAHORE:
The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has organised 24-hour camps to provide people with free dengue screening in the wake of the recent spread of the disease. The camps have so far served almost 500 patients.
On Saturday, Lahore Corps Commander, Lt Gen Rashid Mahmood, issued orders to the DHA administrator, Brig Mohammad Aslam Rana, to organise free camps for dengue screening in the DHA society. The authority set up four camps on Sunday.
The camps, which have been set up at Masjid Chowk in Phase I, opposite Beaconhouse School in Phase III, in the commercial area of Sector FF in Phase III and in the commercial area at Wateen Chowk in Phase V, are being run under the DHA’s Health Branch. The camps are staffed with doctors from the Health Branch and the Army.
(Read: Dengue most active in posh areas)
According to Tajammul Hussain, the DHA public relations officer, eight new screening machines have been purchased, at nearly Rs850,000 each. The machines provide results within 5 minutes, increasing the efficiency of the procedure.
Another screening machine at the DHA Medical Centre is devoted to the screening of DHA staff.
The test is being conducted free-of-cost at each of these camps.
DHA Medical Branch in-charge Brig Sahir is monitoring the spraying of parks, schools and mosques in the society. “This is the third round of spray in the society in the past month”, claimed Hussain.
“DHA is a clean and green area. Unfortunately these factors are encouraging the growth of mosquitoes,” said Hussain.
MODEL TOWN
The fear of dengue has also gripped the residents of Model Town. As much as 23 per cent of the town consists of parks and nurseries.
Since last August, the dengue threat has loomed over the area. According to Col (retd) Tahir Kardar, the Model Town Society (MTS) president, around 1,000 MTS residents have suffered from the dengue virus. Three of them have succumbed to the disease.
“The situation is so alarming that the residents now are taking extra care. Plant pots, bath tubs, water tanks and open areas are being constantly sprayed with anti-mosquito spray,” said Imran Malik, a resident of K-block.
Colonel Kardar told The Express Tribune that society had started spraying the area two months ago but rains had affected its efficacy.
Police takes care of its own
On the orders of Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ahmad Raza Tahir, an extensive dengue spray has been initiated at all Lahore police stations, offices, Qila Gujjar Singh, Police Lines, Qurban Lines and police residences on emergency basis.
In a statement, the CCPO has ordered that all possible preventive measures in all sections of the Lahore Police be taken prevent the disease.
CCPO has directed that the spray be conducted at least twice a week in all police stations and offices of Lahore Police.
He further directed that all utensils, drums, water tanks and other items which contain water should be properly covered and water in the room coolers, installed at offices, should be drained. CCPO further directed use of coils and mats, along with dengue spray.
CCPO also advised police officers and officials that if they do catch the disease, they should immediately contact a government hospital for free diagnosis and treatment.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2011.
The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has organised 24-hour camps to provide people with free dengue screening in the wake of the recent spread of the disease. The camps have so far served almost 500 patients.
On Saturday, Lahore Corps Commander, Lt Gen Rashid Mahmood, issued orders to the DHA administrator, Brig Mohammad Aslam Rana, to organise free camps for dengue screening in the DHA society. The authority set up four camps on Sunday.
The camps, which have been set up at Masjid Chowk in Phase I, opposite Beaconhouse School in Phase III, in the commercial area of Sector FF in Phase III and in the commercial area at Wateen Chowk in Phase V, are being run under the DHA’s Health Branch. The camps are staffed with doctors from the Health Branch and the Army.
(Read: Dengue most active in posh areas)
According to Tajammul Hussain, the DHA public relations officer, eight new screening machines have been purchased, at nearly Rs850,000 each. The machines provide results within 5 minutes, increasing the efficiency of the procedure.
Another screening machine at the DHA Medical Centre is devoted to the screening of DHA staff.
The test is being conducted free-of-cost at each of these camps.
DHA Medical Branch in-charge Brig Sahir is monitoring the spraying of parks, schools and mosques in the society. “This is the third round of spray in the society in the past month”, claimed Hussain.
“DHA is a clean and green area. Unfortunately these factors are encouraging the growth of mosquitoes,” said Hussain.
MODEL TOWN
The fear of dengue has also gripped the residents of Model Town. As much as 23 per cent of the town consists of parks and nurseries.
Since last August, the dengue threat has loomed over the area. According to Col (retd) Tahir Kardar, the Model Town Society (MTS) president, around 1,000 MTS residents have suffered from the dengue virus. Three of them have succumbed to the disease.
“The situation is so alarming that the residents now are taking extra care. Plant pots, bath tubs, water tanks and open areas are being constantly sprayed with anti-mosquito spray,” said Imran Malik, a resident of K-block.
Colonel Kardar told The Express Tribune that society had started spraying the area two months ago but rains had affected its efficacy.
Police takes care of its own
On the orders of Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ahmad Raza Tahir, an extensive dengue spray has been initiated at all Lahore police stations, offices, Qila Gujjar Singh, Police Lines, Qurban Lines and police residences on emergency basis.
In a statement, the CCPO has ordered that all possible preventive measures in all sections of the Lahore Police be taken prevent the disease.
CCPO has directed that the spray be conducted at least twice a week in all police stations and offices of Lahore Police.
He further directed that all utensils, drums, water tanks and other items which contain water should be properly covered and water in the room coolers, installed at offices, should be drained. CCPO further directed use of coils and mats, along with dengue spray.
CCPO also advised police officers and officials that if they do catch the disease, they should immediately contact a government hospital for free diagnosis and treatment.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2011.