RAWALPINDI: As the garrison city has seen reduction in Covid-19 cases, dengue threat looms large, forcing three government-run hospitals to activate isolation wards.

Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital have activated dengue wards and established counters to deal with the patients.

Total two dengue patients have so far been reported in the garrison city from March to June. However, no more patient arrived in the last two months.

“The dengue counters had been established in emergency departments and outdoor patients department in government run hospitals,” Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Umer told Dawn.

He said doctors and paramedical staff had been trained in dealing with dengue patients and in this regard, the duty roaster had been made for the stahh deployed in the dengue wards .

He said at present, no dengue patient was in the hospital. “We are ready to face the new challenge of dengue ,” he said.

On the other hand, the Rawalpindi District Health Authority has sped up the drive especially in low lying areas after rain. “Divisional Commissioner Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah called the meeting to review the arrangements to avoid spread of the disease in upcoming monsoon season,” said an official of district administration.

He said sanitary patrol found more than 7,815 hotspots of dengue larvae and mostly mosquitoes found in schools, workshops and under construction buildings and hotels. He said the administration had asked the relevant authorities to remove stagnant water in the streets and roads.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2021