Dengue doing its job well

City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) is making efforts to fight against dengue threat still looming in the city.

Two more cases of dengue have been reported raising the total number of dengue patients in the city to five. Meanwhile, a total of 85 cases have been reported across Punjab during the current year.

According to details, Ali Asghar, a sanitary supervisor and his spouse Farkhanda Ali were diagonsed with dengue fever and were shifted to the hospital.

Executive District Officer (EDO) Health Dr Zafar Iqbal Gondal confirmed the dengue cases and said that the only way to fight against dengue is to take precautionary measure.

140 DENGUE FEVER SUSPECTS: Around 140 patients suspected of dengue fever have been brought to the allied hospitals of the city.

Last year more than 200 patients visited the allied hospitals that were provided with medical treatment and discharged after recovery.

Rawalpindi Medical College and Allied Hospitals focal person and Holy Family Hospital (HFH) Deputy Medical Superintendent (DMS) Dr Javed Hayat said, “This year around 140 dengue suspects were brought to the hospitals out of which nine cases were positive and were given treatment, while six were discharged after recovery and three were admitted in the hospital.”

Dr Javed said that HFH has registered 132 cases suspected of dengue fever, while eight suspects were registered with Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH). “Presently only two dengue positive patients are under treatment in HFH and one in BBH,” he added.

Furthermore, he said that the hospitals have full capacity and potential to meet any situation arising out of the seasonal disease’s outbreak, adding that dengue fever is expected to end in mid October when weather conditions change.

Meanwhile, District Health Officer Dr Javaid Chaudry informed that a comprehensive anti-dengue campaign was being run to prevent the dengue virus in the Rawalpindi district.

“Currently the prevention of the disease is the priority of the government and the district administration is working hard to avoid outbreak of the infection as the situation is presently under control,” he added.

He said that maximum arrangements for the treatment of dengue fever patients have been made in the city hospitals.

LACK OF FUNDS THREATEN ANTI-DENGUE DRIVE: Non-availability of funds in 21 union councils of the district has threatened the anti dengue campaign while Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce (RCC) has announced to provide facilities to initiate fogging again.

As per details, fogging was to be initiated in the high risk areas of union councils of 10,12,13,14,19,20,23,24,28,31,30,31,44, and 44 but was delayed due to lack of funds and vehicles.

Alternatively, District Health Officer Dr Ansar Ishaq said that health department does not lack funds. “In 22 union councils, RCC has been allowed to work on their request, while the health department is continuing the anti-dengue campaign in the other 24 union councils using its own resources,” he added.