National anti-dengue drive launched

Federal Minister for Health, Mr Mustafa Kamal, formally inaugurated the National Anti-Dengue Campaign 2025 in the federal capital on Tuesday.

Speaking at a ceremony, he stressed that "prevention is better than cure. We must not wait for patients to arrive at hospitals; instead, we must ensure they are protected from disease. The Ministry of Health is implementing an effective and integrated strategy to eliminate dengue."

Highlighting the severity of the situation, the minister warned that dengue poses a serious public health threat, spread by mosquitoes breeding in clean water. He noted that recent rainfall has contributed to a sharp rise in reported cases, with over 300 cases from rural Islamabad and more than 100 from urban areas. Eliminating the dengue mosquito, he emphasised, remains a top priority for the Ministry.

Underscoring the sacred responsibility of health services, Mr Kamal remarked: "Health is a duty of utmost importance. People seek the health system in times of suffering. Allah loves His creation, and those who work tirelessly under the sun and heat to protect people from illness are pleasing to Him. Our service to humanity must be for Allah's pleasure."

The minister further stated that machinery and facilities are being upgraded to strengthen the anti-dengue campaign. He urged all elected representatives of Islamabad, particularly the three Members of the National Assembly, to take a leading role and raise awareness among citizens.

Paying tribute to frontline workers engaged in the campaign, he said: "You are performing a vital task in protecting the public from disease."

Kamal also appealed to the public to adhere to Ministry guidelines, reminding them that dengue mosquitoes breed in clean water. He emphasised that building additional hospitals is only a temporary measure; the true solution lies in prevention. The government, he said, is mobilising all available resources to eliminate dengue and promote a healthier society.

Reaffirming his commitment, the Health Minister declared that, despite the challenges, the Ministry of Health is determined to ensure the success of the National Anti-Dengue Campaign.

In addition, Kamal highlighted the government's campaign against cervical cancer. He revealed that nearly 5,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Pakistan each year, with 3,000 fatalities. He urged families to ensure vaccination for prevention, condemning baseless propaganda against vaccines:

"Those who spread misinformation about vaccines must fear God and refrain from such irresponsible and harmful behaviour."