A Pakistani mother comforts her son who is suffering from the mosquito-borne disease, dengue fever, at a local hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. – AP Photo

ISLAMABAD: Lifestyle is also responsible for the spread of the dengue illness, said Secretary Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD), Junaid Iqbal on Wednesday.

“Wear full sleeved shirts and pants and not shorts. Parents should especially be careful when dressing up their children,” said the Secretary CADD describing dengue as a domestic problem.

Even flower pots in homes, hospitals and offices can become breeding grounds for mosquito carrying the dengue virus, explained Junaid Iqbal. Mr Iqbal found himself in a tough spot when members of National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights challenged the government’s failure to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of dengue despite timely warnings.

Chairman of the Committee MNA Riaz Fatyana pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) had warned that the incidence of dengue virus is expected to be much worse this year in comparison to last year.

The meeting learned that mosquitoes had transferred dengue virus to 8,000 victims around the country this year compared to 5,000 last year.

The first incidents of dengue virus were reported back in 1996. The year 2003-04 saw more cases and the numbers only rose in 2007 and then again in 2010. This year saw the virus entrench its claws in Punjab starting from the month of August.

Explaining the origin of dengue as being outside of Pakistan, Executive Director, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Mehmood Jamal said, “Human beings are as responsible for the spread of the disease as mosquitoes since mosquitoes cannot travel more than a 100 or 150 meters.”

According to Mr Jamal, 600 patients who came to Pims were suspected of carrying dengue. Lab tests confirmed 99 positive cases and 81 were discharged. He said that one third of these patients came from places other than Islamabad.

“Dengue has claimed the life of one victim who was admitted at Shifa hospital,” said Mr. Jamal, adding that hospitals continue to be ill-equipped to tackle dengue adequately.

“There are only two dengue cell separator machines in Pims and one of them was borrowed from an NGO. Capital Hospital has the other. Four other separator machines have been ordered from Germany after the prime minister approved Rs40 million towards the cause. Orders for two more machines have also been placed with firms in UAE,” he said.

Members at the meeting were more concerned with preventive measures and creation of awareness about dengue.  Secretary CADD Junaid Iqbal explained that maximum efforts are being made to create awareness through pamphlets, advertisements and campaigns in schools. Preventative measures include promoting and maintaining cleanliness and ensuring that the exercise of fumigation takes place.

Although the meeting, which coincided with International Day of Peace, started with dengue on the agenda but other national crises also became part of the discussion.

Hepatitis C: Members at the meeting expressed dissatisfaction on learning that hepatitis patients above the age of 35 were being denied free medications. The members directed health officials to ensure free supply and end discrimination across the board.Floods: The HR Committee challenged the ill-preparedness of the National Disaster Management Cell despite forewarnings of heavier expected rains this year. MNAs Yasmeen Rehman, Fauzia Habib and Riaz Fatyana lamented how emphasis is laid on building roads rather than on improving town planning.

In his defense Member Operations, NDMA Brig. Sajid informed the committee that unprecedented rains had hindered preparations for floods. “Met Office predictions were of lesser rains than what the country received,” he said, explaining that planning was done with an expectation of two million displaced people and evacuation preparations were made for 200,000 people.

Emphasizing that Pakistan’s integrity is based on peace, tolerance and dialogue, MNA Riaz Fatyana read out a letter by Embassies of Russia and Tajikistan that confirmed that Kharottabad incident was the doing of local administration, Frontier Constabulary and the police.

“Embassies of Russia and Tajikistan have confirmed in writing that Kharottabad victims were normal passport holders with no criminal records and no links with terror networks. It is evident that innocent people were murdered,” said the MNA, adding, “Be it police, army, FC or men with or without uniform, nobody will be given the license to kill, abduct, torture or deny our citizens the right to life.”

MNAs also shed light on the Gojra incident where judicial inquiry was ineffective and culprits were acquitted without charge. The recent incident in Mastung Quetta was also condemned.

Finally, the death sentence handed down to seven convicts for lynching two brothers in Sialkot was the only good news that members saw as a historical decision.

“All these incidents reflect the insensitivity of the people and especially the coldness of our custodians of law,” said MNA Riaz Fatyana.

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