Public health: Dengue-control plan announced for Pindi

18 teams working in cantonment areas

RAWALPINDI/ LAHORE:

Considering the recent spike in reported cases of dengue fever in Rawalpindi, the Rawalpindi district government has chalked out a Dengue Control Micro Plan to implement and monitor dengue-control activities of government departments and relevant bodies. Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq announced this at a meeting at the Commissioner’s Office on Friday.

Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Zahid Saeed and DCO Sajjad Zafar Daahl were also present on the occasion.

The plan prepared under the directive of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif aims to improve coordination on dengue-related measures taken by relevant departments and civic bodies. The plan details the responsibilities and expectations attached with all stakeholders. Senior officers of the Rawalpindi Division present at the meeting said the performance of these departments will be monitored on a daily basis.

Daal shared the details of the plan and briefed participants about the government’s efforts in eradicating dengue mosquito larvae and curbing the epidemic.



Rafique underlined the core responsibilities of relevant government departments and said eradicating dengue fever was the government’s top priority. He said special teams had been constituted in all high-risk areas. He said strict measures were being taken to ensure elimination of larvae.

Rawalpindi Division officers told participants that carpet fogging had been ensured at Gowalmandi, Dhoke Ratta, Javed Colony, Chamanzar Colony, Mohanpura, Arjun Nazgar, Hazar Colony and several other areas.

Rafique said he will personally review anti-dengue measures taken in Rawalpindi and will inspect hospitals and affected areas there. He said funds for the provision of medicines to dengue patients will be ensured.

The participants were told that a control room had been set up at the Health EDO’s office in Khayaban-i-Sir Syed, Rawalpindi. Health officials had been deputed there and citizens could visit the office and call in on the number 051-4931965 in case of an emergency or for information regarding dengue control.

Separate beds and medicines to treat dengue fever had been allocated for Holy Family, district headquarters and Benazir Bhutto Hospitals.

At the Rawalpindi commissioner’s office

A high-level meeting held at Rawalpindi Commissioner’s Officer looked to gauge the critical situation.

Rawalpindi Cantonment Board Additional Executive Officer Shakil Anwar Jappa told The Express Tribune that a total of 32 dengue patients had been reported from the cantonment area so far and most of the patients were from Gowalmandi.

He said that 18 teams were working in various cantonment areas. “We had to cancel Eid holidays for the staff owing to the situation in the city,” he said.

Jappa said that the main reason behind the increasing number of patients was the irresponsible attitude of some citizens. “Many of them don’t even allow our teams to enter their houses for surveillance,” he deplored.

This attitude has further compounded the situation, he said. “We are trying our best to reduce the number of patients.”

Almost 30 first investigation reports (FIRs) have been registered against various commercial units by the RCB. “Hence there are no complaints from commercial units now,” he said. The RCB has its limitations and “we usually avoid registration of FIRs against individuals”, he remarked. Most people do not care and larvae are often found inside individuals – in the water coolers, open water tanks and basements.

Benazir Bhutto Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Asif Qadir Mir said that a total of 46 dengue patients were received by the hospital since July 1. DHO Dr Khalid Randhawa said a total of 124 patients had been reported positive so far while two patients from Harripur had expired due to the fever, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2014.