PHC seeks full report on dengue efforts

CJ Atiq Shah questions health dept's preparedness

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Department to submit a detailed report on measures taken to control dengue across the province.

The directive was issued during the hearing of a petition concerning dengue prevention, presided over by Chief Justice Justice SM Atiq Shah.

During the proceedings, the Chief Justice asked the Director General Health to provide clear information on the steps taken so far, the challenges being faced, shortages of resources, the number of dengue patients treated, and whether any patients were charged for treatment.

He ordered that all details be presented to the court at the next hearing.

Appearing before the bench were Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel, DG Health Shaheen Afridi, AAG Nauman Haq Kakakhel, and petitioner's counsel Nauman Mohib Kakakhel. Responding to the court's queries, the DG Health informed that dengue prevention was not the responsibility of the health department alone, as 19 departments were jointly involved under an annual action plan prepared every January. He added that controlling dengue is more challenging than polio, and the province follows World Health Organization standards.

However, the Chief Justice remarked that dengue control is not as difficult as suggested and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts at the local level. He said district police officers, SHOs, and local mosques could play an effective role in community awareness.