Dengue programme enrols university professors
Health dept realises need for entomologists, biologists to tackle virus effectively
Health dept realises need for entomologists, biologists to tackle virus effectively. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ
KARACHI:
The Sindh government's dengue programme has decided to get university professors on board to overcome the deadly dengue mosquitoes.
After running an ineffective campaign that merely focused on fumigation, the Sindh health department realised that bureaucrats are not the solution to forming an effective strategy. Hence, the minister announced on Wednesday that they will collaborate with entomologists and biologists from various universities' research institutions in Sindh. This interactive session on the dengue virus was organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan.
Sindh’s one-man army takes on millions of dengue mosquitoes
This decision resonated well with the vice-chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Dr Shahana Urooj, who is a microbiologist. She pointed out that it was not possible for them to address the issue without the help of entomologists and biologists. "The government should involve the relevant experts," she said, adding that round-the-year surveillance is required.
For his part, Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar admitted that dengue is too big an issue for his department to tackle alone. "We need the help of research institutions established in different universities," he said. The minister announced that his department will convene a meeting with universities and seek their help.
Debunking myths
Dr Urooj rejected the common view that dengue mosquitoes are only found in bodies of potable water. "This is a misconception because these mosquitoes are born in unclean water as well."
Pakistan update: Six dead, thousands test positive for dengue
She also brushed aside the effectiveness of fumigation drives that are vehemently endorsed by the health department, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the commissioner. "Sprays are toxic and injurious to human health," pointed out Dr Urooj. "Spraying is not needed but can be used specifically in those areas where these mosquitoes are found."
Not every dengue patient needs to be admitted at a hospital, pointed out a blood disease expert at Indus Hospital, Dr Samreen Sarfaraz. Only two to three per cent of the people infected by the virus are at risk, she said, adding that hundreds of patients have visited her hospital but only one was admitted.
"It is an endemic now," said Dr Sarfaraz. "We have medicines for malaria patients but not for dengue virus patients."
All 940 dengue cases in Sindh originate in Karachi
Dengue surveillance cell
Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui offered a solution in the form of a separate surveillance cell, which will include experts on different viral diseases. Given the government's lack of faith in experts in the past, Siddiqui assured they are trying their best to address this issue.
"We'll establish surveillance centres as well," announced Dahar. "Collectively, we can do anything but not alone," he said. "The citizens, the civil society and other institutions need to work with the government."
According to the Sindh government's Dengue Prevention and Control Programme's head Dr Masood Ahmed Solangi, surveys disclosed that storage of water in tanks is one of the major reasons behind the spread of dengue mosquitoes in the city. "People themselves need to take appropriate measures," Dr Solangi urged, saying early diagnosis can save lives.
With reports of suspected dengue cases, K-P rests easy on ‘false positives’
Meanwhile, Pakistan Medical Association Karachi general secretary seemed unsatisfied with the statistics shared by the health department, claiming that the dengue death toll has fallen. "Statistics are always dangerous," he said. "We have to understand the disease and awareness is very important."
Arts Council's medical and social welfare chairperson Dr Qaisar Sajjad demanded a separate laboratory in the city to research on different viral diseases. "We need to establish such institutions," he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2015.
The Sindh government's dengue programme has decided to get university professors on board to overcome the deadly dengue mosquitoes.
After running an ineffective campaign that merely focused on fumigation, the Sindh health department realised that bureaucrats are not the solution to forming an effective strategy. Hence, the minister announced on Wednesday that they will collaborate with entomologists and biologists from various universities' research institutions in Sindh. This interactive session on the dengue virus was organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan.
Sindh’s one-man army takes on millions of dengue mosquitoes
This decision resonated well with the vice-chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Dr Shahana Urooj, who is a microbiologist. She pointed out that it was not possible for them to address the issue without the help of entomologists and biologists. "The government should involve the relevant experts," she said, adding that round-the-year surveillance is required.
For his part, Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar admitted that dengue is too big an issue for his department to tackle alone. "We need the help of research institutions established in different universities," he said. The minister announced that his department will convene a meeting with universities and seek their help.
Debunking myths
Dr Urooj rejected the common view that dengue mosquitoes are only found in bodies of potable water. "This is a misconception because these mosquitoes are born in unclean water as well."
Pakistan update: Six dead, thousands test positive for dengue
She also brushed aside the effectiveness of fumigation drives that are vehemently endorsed by the health department, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the commissioner. "Sprays are toxic and injurious to human health," pointed out Dr Urooj. "Spraying is not needed but can be used specifically in those areas where these mosquitoes are found."
Not every dengue patient needs to be admitted at a hospital, pointed out a blood disease expert at Indus Hospital, Dr Samreen Sarfaraz. Only two to three per cent of the people infected by the virus are at risk, she said, adding that hundreds of patients have visited her hospital but only one was admitted.
"It is an endemic now," said Dr Sarfaraz. "We have medicines for malaria patients but not for dengue virus patients."
All 940 dengue cases in Sindh originate in Karachi
Dengue surveillance cell
Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui offered a solution in the form of a separate surveillance cell, which will include experts on different viral diseases. Given the government's lack of faith in experts in the past, Siddiqui assured they are trying their best to address this issue.
"We'll establish surveillance centres as well," announced Dahar. "Collectively, we can do anything but not alone," he said. "The citizens, the civil society and other institutions need to work with the government."
According to the Sindh government's Dengue Prevention and Control Programme's head Dr Masood Ahmed Solangi, surveys disclosed that storage of water in tanks is one of the major reasons behind the spread of dengue mosquitoes in the city. "People themselves need to take appropriate measures," Dr Solangi urged, saying early diagnosis can save lives.
With reports of suspected dengue cases, K-P rests easy on ‘false positives’
Meanwhile, Pakistan Medical Association Karachi general secretary seemed unsatisfied with the statistics shared by the health department, claiming that the dengue death toll has fallen. "Statistics are always dangerous," he said. "We have to understand the disease and awareness is very important."
Arts Council's medical and social welfare chairperson Dr Qaisar Sajjad demanded a separate laboratory in the city to research on different viral diseases. "We need to establish such institutions," he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2015.