Commissioner of Karachi, Roshan Ali Shaikh has directed for reactivation of dengue control cells in all hospitals of the city so as to ensure timely handling of cases expected to be referred during forthcoming monsoon and post monsoon seasons.
“These cells must be adequately equipped and manned so as to ensure proper diagnosis and foolproof management of patients brought with dengue fever or conditions similar to it,” the commissioner told the meeting, said the officials associated with the office of DC Karachi on Monday.
The meeting was attended by all deputy commissioners, administrators, executive officers of all cantonment boards functional in the city, director, health services, KMC, health officers of Karachi Port Trust and Port Qasim Authority, FPCCI advisor for social sector, Mohammad Siddiq Shaikh, district magistrate of SITE area and others.
Commissioner Roshan Ali Shaikh said close cordination and collaboration among all departments and sections was extremely important to combat the menace of dengue fever virus, expected to circulate in the environment for quite some time.
He referred to latest available global studies that showed that the virus has already spread in more than 100 countries with millions at risk to be affected from it. “It is important to raise awareness among people so as to not only avert the viral infection but also diminish its intensity as otherwise patients with 100% chances of recovery may be at risk to lose their lives,” said the Karachi Commissioner.
He said the city administration was absolutely committed to its responsibility to ensure that the mosquito (aedes egypti) that causes dengue virus may not be able to breed and for this it needed optimum support of the citizens as well as all public and private sector departments and organizations.
The commissioner appreciated the fact that the close coordination between provincial health department and city administration had during previous years resulted in almost nil dengue induced death in the city.
“Precaution and prevention is the cornerstone and we are absolutely committed to it besides providing timely assistance to people who may unfortunately get affected,” said the commissioner.
