RAWALPINDI: As many as 58 more dengue patients landed in the three government hospitals in the city on Tuesday, taking the tally to 779 in the current season.

Officials said 201 dengue patients were admitted in Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and tehsil headquarters hospitals.

Most of the patients arrived from Chak Jalaldin, Lakkhan, Gulistan Colony, Lane 4 Peshawar Road, Chaklala Scheme-III, Chaudhry Bostan Khan Road, Khanna Dak, Asghar Mall Scheme, Jamia Masjid Road, Dhoke Dalal, Dhoke Mangtal, Pirwadhai Mor, Morah Noori, Takhat Pari and adjoining areas.

A 16-member team of dengue experts from the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare visited Rawalpindi on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Nadia Saqib along with the experts visited different areas of Rawalpindi to assess the situation and check the performance of dengue teams in the field, hotspots coverage and larvae.

Earlier, a meeting was held at the deputy commissioner office under the chairmanship of Chief Minister’s Adviser on Health retired Major General Dr Azhar Mehmood Kayani in which the secretary expressed her displeasure over non-cooperation of allied departments in the anti-dengue campaign.

Dr Kayani said strict action will be taken against departments that did not cooperate and support in the anti-dengue campaign. He said that the anti-dengue campaign should be conducted vigorously in all areas and all allied departments should ensure implementation of the SOPs.

The secretary said in the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Anti-Dengue, the performance of the departments will be reviewed.

The coverage of all hotspots will be ensured in the next 48 hours, she added.

The secretary directed the Punjab Information Technology Board to maintain a complete record of dengue operations on a daily basis. All departments should fully support the district administration.

The meeting also reviewed the performance of dengue teams, case response, indoor and outdoor surveillance operations and stock of medicines.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2024