RAWALPINDI: A total of 3,417 suspected patients underwent dengue test at filter clinics established in different localities of Rawalpindi during Sept 26 to Sept 30, out of which 91 patients were diagnosed as having the dengue virus.

This was disclosed by an official of the district health authority in a briefing to Commissioner Rawalpindi retired Capt Saqib Zafar during his visit to a filter clinic at Kotha Kalan on Thursday.

The commissioner was also informed that the health authorizes had planned to set up two more filter clinics in the city in next two days.

According to the statistics issued by the district administration, Rehmatabad Mobile Health Unit received more patients than all other filter clinics during the last five days of the previous month. The number of suspected patients received at the clinic was 795 and out of them 70 were found to be affected by dengue virus.

Likewise, 631 suspected patients came at Mobile Health Unit set up at Dhoke Hassu, but only 14 were dengue patients. Rahimabad Mobile Health Unit received 561 suspected patients but only three were declared dengue patients.

However, the filter clinics at Kotha Kallan, Burf Khan Chowk, Dhoke Mangtal and Wakeel Colony did not receive a single dengue patient from Sept 26 to Sept 30.

Dengue filter clinics at Jamal Plaza, Car Chowk received only three and one dengue patient, respectively, during the same period.

Speaking on the occasion, the commissioner called upon the people to cooperate in eliminating dengue mosquito from the sensitive areas as district administration could not do it alone. He advised doctors and paramedical staff to provide all available facilities to the people.

The commissioner said political and religious leaders of the area had been requested to help the administration in creating awareness among the people to avoid dengue fever. He said people could have complete blood test at Rs90 and dengue test at 35pc discounted rates at the private laboratories while the facility was available free of cost in government hospitals, filter clinics and basic health units.

He said the idea of establishment of the filter clinics was successful as it had eased pressure on Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.

As many as 11 filter clinics had been established in Dhoke Hassu, Rahimabad, Rehmatabad, Murree Road, Adiala Road, Kotha Kalan, Dhoke Kala Khan, Burf Khanna Chowk, Car Chowk, Dhoke Mangtal and Wakeel Colony.

18 tested positive for dengue in Attock

As many as 18 people tested positive for the mosquito-borne dengue fever in Attock city and are being treated at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, health authorities said on Thursday.When contacted, medical superintendent of the DHQ hospital Dr Khalid Mehmood confirmed to

Dawn that 18 patients were admitted to the hospital, including eight women. He said the patients had been under treatment for the last two weeks.

Responding a question, he said the patients were recovering and no one of them was in a critical condition. He said the patients were being provided all facilities.

Some of the patients admitted to the dengue ward of the hospital, including Rafiullah, Mohammad Niaz, Ali Ahmad, Waqas, Haris, Amir, Sharjeel, Mubashir, Wajahat, Mohammad Tufail, Aayesha, Imtiaz Bibi, Yasmeen, Sana, Iqra, Kiran and Naseema Bibi, neither expressed their satisfaction nor complained regarding treatment facilities in the hospital.

District Surveillance Officer Dr Talib said there was no epidemic like situation in the district. He said the health department conducted indoor residual spraying (IRS) and fogging in areas where dengue positive cases were reported.

District Health Officer (preventive measures) Dr Asad Ismail said so far over 4,000 suspected dengue patients had been screened in the district.

He said out of the 18 confirmed patients 10 were stable. Responding a question, he said the six tehsil headquarters hospitals of the district were screening patients on a daily basis and referring them to nearest major health facility in Rawalpindi and Attock.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2019