Health DG summoned in dengue deaths case

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday summoned the Director General Health to appear in person on February 18 in a petition concerning deaths caused by measles and other diseases, after the health department failed to submit a report despite court orders.

Justice Awais Khalid heard the petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel, which raised concerns over fatalities linked to outbreaks of measles and dengue in Punjab.

During the hearing, Advocate Azhar Siddique, representing the petitioner, argued that hundreds of people had lost their lives in recent outbreaks due to the absence of basic healthcare facilities in public hospitals.

He contended that many of these deaths could have been prevented if essential medical equipment, medicines and treatment facilities had been available.

The counsel further submitted that the health department had not complied with the court's earlier directions to submit a detailed report on the deaths.

He urged the court to ensure that complete facts regarding fatalities caused by measles and dengue are placed on record.