RAWALPINDI: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that emergency measures should be taken to control the increasing graph of dengue cases in Rawalpindi keeping in mind the experiences of the past years.

He said this while presiding over a meeting held to review dengue situation at the deputy commissioner’s office on Sunday. Prof Dr Waseem Akram, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Asif Arbab Niazi and other relevant officials were also present in the meeting.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said the highest number of dengue patients in Punjab this year was recorded in Rawalpindi, which was alarming.

He said in 2024, 230 dengue patients were reported in Lahore, while this year, the number of patients in Rawalpindi had already reached 1,934.

He said reasons behind the spread of dengue virus should be examined, shortcomings identified and hot spots continuously monitored.

Mr Rafique said despite the fact that substantial FIRs had been registered against SOP violators and many had been arrested and fined, the graph of dengue cases continued to increase.

He said there should be close cooperation with the capital administration and a common plan of action should be adopted.

Meanwhile, 87 more patientswent down with the mosquito-borne disease on Sunday.

As many as 512 patientsarrived in the three government-run hospitals during the last 24 hours, out of whom 87 were confirmed dengue cases.

A total of 299 denguepatients were admitted to Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and tehsil headquarters hospitals.

Most patientsarrived from Kulyar, Shakrial, Khanna Dak, Lakhan, Gangal, Chaklala, Dhoke Munshi, Rehmatabad, Kotha Kalan, Morgah, Dhamial, Chak Jalaldin, Girja, Satellite Town, Qayyumabad, Kattarian, Gulistan, Dhoke Gujran, Dhoke Syedan, Tench Bhatta and adjoining areas. According to official figures, one denguepatient was critical.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2024