Anti-dengue plan for 2025 afoot

New strategy for Pindi to address gaps identified in 2024 drive

RAWALPINDI:

Preparations for a new anti-dengue plan for Rawalpindi district are underway to combat the vector-borne disease effectively next year.

The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner has directed the Rawalpindi Health Department to formulate the plan within a month, which will be presented in February 2025.

The new strategy will address shortcomings and gaps identified in the 2024 anti-dengue campaign.

Areas that reported dengue cases last year will be declared hotspots and prioritised for intensified surveillance and intervention.

The number of teams inspecting indoor and outdoor dengue larvae in these areas will be increased. Additionally, mandatory third-party verification will follow inspections in every union council.

If dengue larvae are found during third-party checks, the responsible inspection team will face disciplinary action.

To enhance effectiveness, new spray pumps will be procured for field teams. A robust dengue surveillance campaign will kick off on April 1, immediately after Eidul Fitr.

The district will be reorganised into new zones, circles, and clusters under the updated plan.

Each segment will have designated in-charges to oversee and ensure the success of the anti-dengue efforts within their areas. Meanwhile, hospitals have discharged the last nine dengue patients following their recovery, marking the end of dengue cases in Rawalpindi for now.

Both public and private hospitals have officially closed their dengue wards, with medical staff reassigned to other duties.