Bitter bites : 15 new dengue cases emerge in Batkhela

Another patient tests positive for the virus in Swat

MINGORA/ BATKHELA:

At least 15 new dengue cases emerged at the District Headquarters Hospital Batkhela on Wednesday, bringing the total number of patients suffering from the potentially fatal virus to 67 in the tehsil.

The number of dengue patients had been continuously rising in the district over the last few days. They include women and children. The district administration and health department officials assured all necessary measures had been taken to control the spread of the disease.

Malakand district nazim Syed Ahmad Ali Shah, naib nazim Colonel (retd) Abrar Hussain and several other local government officials visited patients at the hospital to inquire after their health. DHO Dr Wakeel Khan and Batkhela DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Iftikhar were also present on the occasion.

The district nazim expressed concern over the practice of doubling—two people sharing one bed—and asked authorities to allocate another ward for dengue patients. Shah stressed patients should be provided all required facilities.

Later on, Shah told the media a shortage in the area prompted people to collect freshwater and leave it standing, thus providing a breeding ground for dengue mosquitos. He urged the government to complete a gravity-fed water project on a priority basis so people would have access to the essential commodity. According to WaterAid’s report from 2013, these use “the force of gravity so water can be transported by pipework to tapstands placed near homes.”

Shah also asked provincial authorities to provide aid to the district on an emergency basis so it could tackle dengue fever.

Meanwhile, the Malakand DHO held a meeting with the ulema of the district and asked them to spread awareness. The religious figures assured him of their complete support and said they would inform people in their respective areas during weekly sermons.

Surging in Swat

Yet another patient tested positive for dengue in Swat on Wednesday, making it the 17th case in the valley.

Saidu Teaching Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Shah Duran confirmed that the number of dengue patients has hit 17 in the area. The latest patient was identified as Bacha Zada, a resident of Sangota.

He explained the disease had not claimed a single life in Swat, adding two patients were being treated for the virus at STH.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2015.