KMC kicks off its spray campaign against the virus. PHOTO: AFP
According to the data collected by the programme, 919 cases have been reported in Karachi alone this year. Most patients identified in other parts of the province, such as Hyderabad and Thatta, travelled to Karachi, where they were infected with dengue. "It seems it is a very local disease and could even be called a Karachi-based disease," claimed SDCP programme manager Dr Masood Solangi.
Hence, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has started a spray campaign against dengue virus in different parts of the city, while a social mobilisation drive will be initiated today. The drive, which has been launched on the directives of the provincial health minister, Jam Mahtab Hussain Dahar, will continue till each and every corner of the city has been covered.
The minister, attending a meeting on the issue, said that large vehicles will be used on the roads, while motorcycles will cover narrower streets. He said that the purpose of the drive is to save every citizen of the city from dengue.
Dahar said that all deputy commissioners have been directed to cooperate with the health department teams in the spray campaign, while isolation wards in Karachi's Civil hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Abbasi Shaheed hospital and Lyari General hospital are being upgraded.
The spray drive, which is being conducted by the KMC in collaboration with the executive district officer health, will be monitored by Dr Solangi, the minister instructed.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Solangi said that there is lack of awareness and the reason for the social mobilisation, along with the spray campaign, is to disseminate dengue-related information to the average person. "Dengue isn't limited to a specific area," he said, adding that several cases have been reported from posh areas of the city, such as Clifton and Defence Housing Authority.
Justifying the three dengue-related deaths reported, he said that it is all because of a lack of awareness. But, he urged, a majority of the people still need complete awareness about the fever, its symptoms and causes. "There is a huge difference between malaria fever and dengue fever," he maintained.
The social mobilisation drive will start from Kabootar Chowk near the Sindh Secretariat in the morning and will move towards Civic Centre. Pamphlets will also be distributed among citizens. Dahar informed the meeting that the same pamphlets have been given to educational institutions and mosques.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2015.
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