ISLAMABAD: After an avalanche of reports about Pakistanis dying of dengue all over the country, Dr. Zafar Mirza (Special Assistant to the PM on National Health Services) said that steps were being taken to contain the outbreak.
According to him though 90% of dengue patients were not needed to be hospitalized, they were being provided free treatment at the medical facilities.
Instead of an anti-mosquito campaign he had a novel idea of asking the patients bring their National Identity Cards so that the areas near their abodes could be sprayed!
He pointed out that most of the dengue fever cases were reported in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Relevant pieces published earlier:
Dengue in Pakistan: 14,015 dengue cases reported, 26 died
ISLAMABAD: Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has informed that so far 14,015 confirmed dengue cases had been reported all over Pakistan and overall 26 deaths have been confirmed from dengue throughout the country.
Efforts underway to eradicate dengue
RAWALPINDI: The Anti-dengue drive initiated by the district health department is in full swing under which surveillance and fumigation is being carried out in different areas of the city.
During the campaign, surveillance is continuing to check its occurrence in 46 Union councils of the city especially in those union councils which were declared high-risk areas last year. Incharge dengue campaign in Municipal Corporation area Dr. Zeeshan said the drive would continue till October.
The Incharge said fogging and surveillance has been lengthened in high-risk areas while the anti-dengue spray is also being carried out at bus terminals.
He said dengue is under control in Rawalpindi and the health department is on high alert to cope with any situation.
Dr. Zeeshan called upon the residents to keep an eye on junkyards, schools and under construction buildings which lead to spread of dengue larvae and leave no place wet or with stagnant water.
RCB seals 10 sites for not following dengue SOP
RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has sealed 10 sites as the owners failed to comply with the dengue standard operating procedure (SOP).
According to RCB spokesman, Public Health Officer, RCB, Waris Bhatti along with anti-dengue team conducted raids in different areas including Habib Colony, Masrial Road, Azizabad, Kiani Road, Mughalabad, Noorani Mohalla, Tench Bhatta, Abid Majeed Road, Chamanabad and other areas and checked 63 sites while dengue larvae was found at 10 points.
He said, different areas including under construction sites were regularly being visited by RCB anti-dengue teams to check dengue larvae while the violators of the SOP were imposed over Rs 85,000 fine. The team also conducted anti-dengue spray and fumigation in Kola Center, Moulvi Muhammad Hussain Street, Saddar, Qasim Market, Cobb Lane, Afshan Colony, Dhoke Chaudharian, Peshawar Road, Range Road and several other areas.
The Cantonment Executive Officer (CEO) RCB, Sibtain Raza had directed the officers concerned to take strict action against those flouting the government orders on dengue prevention. He urged the residents to adopt all possible precautionary measures and contact the RCB if they found dengue larvae near their houses. He said, the authorities would send teams for sprays.
Meanwhile, RCB under anti-dengue drive inspected over 3000 houses and removed dengue larva from 58 points during last week. The spokesman informed that the Board had taken effective measures to control dengue while special teams under anti-dengue drive were inspecting residential and commercial places and educating the citizens about importance of sanitation, cleanliness and preventive measures against dengue.
2530 houses and a large number of other points were checked by male and female health workers during door-to-door campaign while dengue larva found at 58 points including 25 houses in British Homes, Naseerabad, Westridge, Masrial Road, Chor, Range Road and Dhoke Gujaran areas was removed.
He said, action in accordance with the law was taken against the violators of the orders of the authorities to save the public from spread of dengue mosquitoes. RCB teams were also visiting hotels, restaurants, workshops, tyre shops and junkyards/godowns and the citizens were being informed about dengue and adoption of maximum precautionary measures against the disease.
A meeting regarding anti-dengue campaign was also organized at Rawalpindi Cantonment Board office. The meeting was chaired by Additional Executive Officer Faisal Munir Wattoo and attended by Vice President Malik Munir, Public Health Officer, RCB Waris Bhatti, Deputy District Health Officer Cantt Dr. Sohail, health officials and RCB dengue supervisors. The meeting reviewed the performance of anti-dengue teams.
News Pakistan
