The number of dengue cases in Swat valley is one the rise, with the disease spreading to adjacent areas and districts as well.
Saidu Sharif Group of Hospitals Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Shah Dauran Khan told Pakistan Today on Tuesday that 383 patients were tested positive with the dengue virus so far and hundreds of other patients suspected to be suffering from dengue were approaching hospitals in Saidu Sharif, Matta, Khwazakhela and other areas.
He said paramedics and other health technicians were also affected, thus complicating the situation further.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on Tuesday declared an emergency in the three main hospitals of Peshawar. The government directed the hospitals’ staff to remain alert, adding that Swat hospitals could did not have the capacity to accommodate more dengue patients.
Doctors in Saidu Sharif Group of Hospitals said that most general wards were being vacated to accommodate the dengue patients.
In response to a question, Dr Khan said so far no patient had died from dengue.
“Many patients have recovered and they have been discharged,” he said.
PUNJAB DOCTORS ARRIVE IN KP:
A seven-member delegation of physicians from Punjab has arrived in Swat to help doctors in Swat and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to deal with dengue.
These doctors have the experience of treating many dengue patients during the dengue outbreak in Punjab. They will be joined by expert physicians from Khyber Medical University, Peshawar.
