Daily-wage dengue workers laid off

RAWALPINDI:

After the conclusion of the anti-dengue campaign, all 1,000 dengue patrol workers employed on daily wages - including entomologists - have been terminated.

Their duties have been ended, and termination notices issued. Among those dismissed are 600 women.

Workers have been told they may be rehired on daily wages when the 2026 anti-dengue campaign begins. With the dismissal, all have been rendered jobless, and many say they are now struggling to run their households.

They have demanded that instead of hiring them for only three to four months each year, the government should regularise their jobs since campaigns on policing, deworming, maternal and child health, dengue and measles continue year-round.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has directed the District Health Authority to prepare a new "Micro Anti-Dengue Plan" for 2026.

The plan will review mistakes and shortcomings from the past five years to prevent dengue spread before the season begins.