PESHAWAR: In the wake of detail deliberations and contacts between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and Punjab government, the former on Sunday allowed the Punjab government’s medical team to help in combating dengue which has paralyzed smooth business in Peshawar and now making routes to rest of the province.
The medical team headed by Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir reached Peshawar on Saturday evening.
The team also included the Health Services director general, physicians, nurses, paramedics along with medicines.
After the arrival, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Zafar Iqbal Jaghra had established contacts with Health Minister Shah Raam Khan and other higher authorities to allow access to the team but they were reluctant.
Later early on Sunday morning, the team installed a camp at the guest house of former member provincial assembly and Jamiat Ulema-Islam-F leader Ateefur Rahman in Tehkal.
The camp was also visited by Advisor to the Prime Minister Engineer Amir Muqam.
Meanwhile, dengue-affected patients from all over Tehkal and its surroundings thronged the camp and the residence of JUI leader looked like a mini-hospital ward.
On the occasion, relatives and attendants of dengue suspected patients had also chanted slogans against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government allowed the team to help after frequent requests made by the Punjab minister, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor and others.
In this respect, a schedule was finalised during a meeting held on Sunday afternoon.
Latest information reveals that the number of dengue patients admitted in various hospitals is still 374, whereas, more suspected patients are approaching Khyber Teaching Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex and Lady Ready Hospital Peshawar.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir, in a news conference, said that it is an alarming situation as thousands of people are believed to be affected.
“In only one day, one unit has screened 843 out of which 143 proved positive,” he remarked and said that two more units are on way from Punjab to Peshawar for controlling the epidemic. Conditions of three patients are in danger, he added.
In response to a question, Khawaja Nazir has said it is a humanitarian issue and couldn’t be used for political purpose.
“We are here, on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to serve the ailing,” he concluded.
Former Punjab Medical University Vice Chancellor Professor Faisal Masud said that dengue spread due to mosquito bites. He said that 90 per cent of people are unaware of the disease, therefore, all suspects need to screen themselves.