LAHORE: Contrary to the reports emerging from the hospitals that dengue is spreading widely, the health authorities are reportedly showing a less number of positive cases against the actual burden of the vector-borne disease.

According to the reports coming from hospitals, the health facilities have been facing a rush of suspected and confirmed dengue patients for the last couple of weeks or so.

Particularly, the isolated wards established for dengue patients in major teaching hospitals of the city showing most of the beds have been occupied and there is no space for patients visiting with low platelets.

The official statement of the Punjab chief secretary issued here on Tuesday and the figures reported by the primary & secondary healthcare department also show a conflicting picture.

Officials told to act against SOPs breach

The health department claimed that 165 new positive cases of the dengue virus were reported during the last 24 hours in Punjab while Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal showed his concern that the dengue cases were alarmingly increasing across the province.

Alarmed at a rise in dengue cases in Punjab, Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal on Tuesday directed the relevant authorities to take stern action over the violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He was presiding over a meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review the dengue situation and medical facilities for the patients.

The chief secretary asked the officials not to show any leniency over the violation of dengue SOPs and directed all the divisional commissioners to act against those who are not adhering to the precautions.

He said all the departments are required to ensure the implementation of the instructions regarding the prevention of dengue.

He also ordered a timely response to the cases being reported from private hospitals and laboratories.

Mr Afzal directed the health department to pay attention to larviciding through micro plans in the districts which are at higher risk of the dengue outbreak.

The secretaries of the health departments gave a detailed briefing to the participants and informed that 2,711 confirmed dengue patients and four deaths have been reported this year.

After Lahore, dengue cases are also increasing in Rawalpindi and Sheikhupura. The health department has set up a 340-bed dengue field hospital at Expo Centre, Lahore.

Deputy Commissioner Umer Sher Chattha apprised the meeting of the details of the action taken against the violators of SOPs.

He said the district administration arrested 16 people and registered 783 cases in Lahore during the last month.

The secretaries of health and industries departments, the PITB chairman, director-general public relations and officials concerned attended the meeting while all the divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated through video link.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2021