Health scare: Dengue count at a staggering 81
District health officer says 36 patients discharged from hospital following full recovery.
“Emergency has been imposed at Saidu Teaching Hospital where patients are being monitored. Necessary measures have also been taken at all other hospitals in the district,” says Dr Khaliq. . PHOTO: FILE
MINGORA:
District Health Officer of Swat Dr Abdul Khaliq on Friday informed the number of dengue patients has reached a staggering 81.
Of these, 45 have been admitted to Saidu Teaching Hospital and are being treated in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, said Dr Khaliq while speaking at a dengue awareness seminar at Saidu Medical College. Participants from all walks of life attended the symposium in which religious leaders, teachers and government officials were invited to raise awareness on the debilitating virus.
“Emergency has been imposed at Saidu Teaching Hospital where patients are being monitored. Necessary measures have also been taken at all other hospitals in the district,” said Dr Khaliq. He added over 36 patients have been discharged after they fully recovered.
Dr Khaliq said the district health office reports to the provincial government and health department daily in order to keep them informed of the situation in Swat. “Efforts are being made to eliminate the virus and we are hopeful we will control it soon,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer of Saidu Teaching Hospital, Dr Taj Mohammad Khan stressed the public should take precautions. He advised people to cover all food utensils and keep windows tightly shut at night. “Persons suffering from dengue symptoms should immediately approach the nearest hospital for treatment.”
Meanwhile, Dengue coordinator in Swat, Dr Ijaz Khan told Express News there was a possibility the outbreak spread via tourists who transmitted the virus to locals.
Dr Shah Doran, who is in charge of dengue patients at Saidu Teaching Hospital, said the eye and medical wards have been vacated to accommodate the increasing number of people suffering from the virus. He said most of the patients at the hospital are from Mingora, Char Bagh and Khwazakhel areas, adding the government is not taking adequate steps to curb the disease. “The disease will spread further and the number of patients will increase if the district government does not take precautionary measures.”
Focal person of the dengue cell, Dr Inam, on the other hand, said multiple awareness campaigns have been launched and pamphlets are being distributed to convince clerics to inform people about the virus during Friday sermons.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2013.
District Health Officer of Swat Dr Abdul Khaliq on Friday informed the number of dengue patients has reached a staggering 81.
Of these, 45 have been admitted to Saidu Teaching Hospital and are being treated in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, said Dr Khaliq while speaking at a dengue awareness seminar at Saidu Medical College. Participants from all walks of life attended the symposium in which religious leaders, teachers and government officials were invited to raise awareness on the debilitating virus.
“Emergency has been imposed at Saidu Teaching Hospital where patients are being monitored. Necessary measures have also been taken at all other hospitals in the district,” said Dr Khaliq. He added over 36 patients have been discharged after they fully recovered.
Dr Khaliq said the district health office reports to the provincial government and health department daily in order to keep them informed of the situation in Swat. “Efforts are being made to eliminate the virus and we are hopeful we will control it soon,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer of Saidu Teaching Hospital, Dr Taj Mohammad Khan stressed the public should take precautions. He advised people to cover all food utensils and keep windows tightly shut at night. “Persons suffering from dengue symptoms should immediately approach the nearest hospital for treatment.”
Meanwhile, Dengue coordinator in Swat, Dr Ijaz Khan told Express News there was a possibility the outbreak spread via tourists who transmitted the virus to locals.
Dr Shah Doran, who is in charge of dengue patients at Saidu Teaching Hospital, said the eye and medical wards have been vacated to accommodate the increasing number of people suffering from the virus. He said most of the patients at the hospital are from Mingora, Char Bagh and Khwazakhel areas, adding the government is not taking adequate steps to curb the disease. “The disease will spread further and the number of patients will increase if the district government does not take precautionary measures.”
Focal person of the dengue cell, Dr Inam, on the other hand, said multiple awareness campaigns have been launched and pamphlets are being distributed to convince clerics to inform people about the virus during Friday sermons.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2013.