RAWALPINDI: A health emergency was declared in hospitals of Rawalpindi after the spread of dengue virus while training of doctors and paramedical staff from railways, social security, cantonment and Fauji Foundation hospitals started at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

Commissioner Saqib Zafar said the training was aimed at dealing with expected patients in these hospitals so that the staff would provide medical care as per the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Punjab government.

He said 350 beds had been arranged in the hospitals other than the HFH, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital where more than 800 patients could be accommodated.

Training of doctors and paramedical staff from railways, social security, cantonment and Fauji Foundation hospitals starts at HFH

He said the Punjab government had issued SOPs for anti-dengue campaign and medical care of patients which would be followed to avoid further spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Mohammad Usman along with the commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Saifullah Dogar reviewed the anti-dengue campaign and patientcare in the hospitals.

The secretary health said there was a need to speed up surveillance activities and eliminate dengue larvae.

“Officials should hold anti-dengue meetings in the evening and be in field during morning times,” he said.

He directed the officials that anti-dengue regulations be fully implemented.

During a visit to BBH, the secretary said negligence had been identified during the surveillance of dengue larva and wasbeing investigated. He said action would be taken againstallthose found guilty.

He said there was no shortage of beds inany dengue ward of allied hospitals in Rawalpindi. All public hospitals have the capacity of 800 beds for dengue patients and currently 532 patients are being treated in the dengue wards.

He said the response process of dengue cases was being further sped up and dengue virus control actions were being taken in areas where more dengue patients were being reported.

He said there were two confirmed deaths from dengue virus in Rawalpindi so far and 315 confirmed patients were being provided medical aid.

He said more dengue patients were being discharged on a daily basis than the new patients.

He said a special ward had also been set up at the Red Crescent Hospital.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2019