KARACHI, Oct 14: The Pakistan Medical Association, Karachi chapter, has urged the city government to take special preventive measures to save millions of Karachiites from the fatal dengue fever by launching an effective fumigation campaign, especially at schools, besides providing free of cost blood transfusion kits and other necessary medicines to the concerned organisations.

Dr Qaiser Sajjad, General Secretary of the PMA Karachi, talking to the PPI on Saturday, expressed serious concern over the rising number of dengue cases and fatalities in the metropolis.

Stressing on the launching of a vigorous fumigation drive to cover every nook and corner of the city, he noted that parents of a huge number of children infected and those vulnerable to the diseases appeared worried about their wards.

Considering the fact that the mosquitoes responsible for dengue fever spread bite at around sunrise and sunset, the parents’ worry is justifiable, their wards happen to be outdoors at sunrise (on way to schools) and sunset (playing outdoors either in the streets or playgrounds), according to Dr Sajjad.

He pointed out that due to a lack of modern diagnostic labs, results of blood test reports were hitting delays in many cases. The results take three to four hours if the test is conducted through machines and six to seven hours if it is done manually.

He urged the city government to arrange for an increased number of such diagnostic labs in the city.

Dr Sajjad also appealed to citizens and volunteers for blood donation, and also noted that some blood banks were providing blood only in exchange of donation in the same quantity.

The PMA leader also appreciated the spirit and generosity of volunteers and general public which had been helping health providers to cope with the situation amid a constant rise in the number of VHF cases in the city.—PPI