Private hospitals have agreed to provide free treatment to dengue patients following an appeal of the Punjab government, a private TV channel reported on Saturday. According to a press release, the Punjab government was planning to draft a policy to engage private hospitals to provide medical treatment to growing dengue patients.
Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had directed to constitute a special committee, which will hold talks with the administration of these hospitals and the Punjab government in light of these dialogues will announce a policy with regard to provision of medical facilities to dengue patients in private hospitals today (Sunday).
Separately, the Dengue Emergency Response Committee of the Punjab Government asked private schools administrations to spray insecticides twice a week in their schools without taking any extra charges from students. Committee chairman Khawaja Saad Rafique warned of stern action against schools not complying with instructions of the committee.
Four more die of dengue
LAHORE – Dengue claimed four more lives in Lahore on Saturday raising the official death toll to eight since the beginning of the epidemic in August. Rafaqat, 30, and a resident of Walton lost his life to dengue at Services Hospital, while 46-year-old Rao Ashraf of Chauburji died at a private hospital. Identities of the two other people could not be ascertained.
According to the Punjab health department, on Saturday, 323 patients were diagnosed with dengue in Punjab while 119 more were suspected to be suffering from the same. The number of patients admitted in different hospitals of Punjab is said to be 118. The health department also claimed that 2,696 patients have cured from the dengue.
The total official figure of dengue patients in the province has climbed up to 2,814 and 2,554 patients out of these belonged to Lahore. Staff Report
