The city is going through an epidemic, dengue, which will be recalled in future as one of the most alarming period in the history of Lahore. On another hand, there are some who will remember this period as one of the finest, as for them dengue meant nothing but revenue. Dengue has left many in sorrows, but on the flipside of the epidemic, many are seen generating revenue under the shadow of the overly feared dengue. According to a survey conducted by Pakistan Today, many people seem to be cashing in on the outbreak.
‘TO CRACK A DEAL WITH THE POLICE’: Top on the list, other than private hospitals and clinics, are the rapidly emerging and already well-burdened police. Now that the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced test for dengue to be set on Rs 90, it is up to the police to enforce the devised rate giving them an open hand. Many private hospitals and small scale clinics are still openly charging more that the set rate.
Police sources, seeking anonymity, said that the over-charging of dengue tests was being done with the consent of the police. The sources said that after the CM’s announcement, the police kicked into operation and raided clinics who failed to make a deal with the local police station.
Ahsan Sheikh, a citizen residing next to a private clinic in Township, claims that police had raided the clinic on the first day after the CM’s announcement as the clinic was charging Rs 300 for the test. “The clinic was shut down for the entire day, but on the next day, the clinic had reopened and was conducting the test on the same rate. This only means that the clinic owner had cracked a ‘deal’ with the police,” said Ahsan.
TRANSPORTERS MAKE A BUSINESS: Next on the list, skipping all pharmacies and general stores selling mosquito repellents and net protectors, appears to be the transporters. The gates of all public hospitals are usually seen hidden as several rickshaw drivers are seen hovering around hospitals in search of passengers.
A rickshaw driver, Afzal, standing at the gate of Services Hospital said, “These days I avoid going to bus stands or the railway station as hospitals are a better option.” He said it was easier to find passengers from the hospitals which were flocked by a number of people. “Not only me, but my entire rickshaw driver group now gathers here at Services Hospital instead of the railway station”, he added.
JUICE SELLERS MAKE PROFITS: Last but not the least is the fruit and juice sellers. Fruit and juice venders claim that people have been pouring in to buy fruits and fresh juice which have been advised to be taken as a precautionary measure against dengue.
A fruit vendor, Ashraf, while talking to Pakistan Today said that people seemed to be buying ample amount of fruits after the dengue outbreak. He said that apple and papaya were being sold like hot cakes. While answering a question, he said, “It is a profitable season for us and I plan to capitalize on it.”
