Tribune’s Gamechangers 2011: Dengue

Bringing the Government of Punjab to its knees.

The dreaded Aedes Aegypti mosquito brought dengue to the province of Punjab. The epidemic spread like wildfire, affecting thousands across the province and killing hundreds.

The government tried everything possible, from importing dengue experts to massive fumigation campaigns, but the epidemic kept spreading every day … and it just fell off the charts one day.

Political parties also used dengue to bash each other, with PPP leader Sharjeel Memon claiming that Rs1.63b used by Punjab was enough to spray the whole world.

The epidemic got lost somewhere between the political fight and an attempt to control it. What will 2012 hold for the province?

Quote:

“The Punjab government has set aside 1.63 billion rupees for fumigation against dengue, which is a huge amount. I think it is enough to spray the whole world.” – Sharjeel Memon