MINGORA, Sept 17: Dengue fever on Tuesday claimed three more lives in Swat district taking the toll to 18.

Dr Wasil Khan, focal person for dengue emergency unit at Saidu hospital here, confirmed that two dengue patients died at the hospital while one expired at Peshawar. He identified them as Sher Ali, 50, resident of Malookabad Mingora, Abdur Rahim of Kalam and Sadique Ali, 25, of Mingora.

Dr Khan said that Sadique Ali was referred to Peshawar where he died.

He said that 25 patients, including 20 men and five women, were under treatment at high dependency unit of the Saidu hospital in critical condition.

He added that overall there were 284 dengue patients under treatment at various wards of the hospital, including 13 children, 180 men and 91 women. He said that 107 patients were discharged during last 24 hours.

RALLY AGAINST GOVERNMENT: Private Schools Management Association (PSMA), Swat chapter, on Tuesday arranged a rally against provincial government for ‘failure’ to prevent further spread of dengue virus and provide proper medication to patients affected by the disease in the district.

A large number of students of different private schools and teachers participated in the rally. They were holding banners and placards and chanted slogans against the provincial government.