LAHORE – Six more dengue patients

LAHORE – Six more dengue patients were brought to various hospitals on Wednesday, taking the number of confirmed cases in the province to 71.

Out of six new cases, five were reported from Lahore and one from neighboring Sheikhupura district. Ahmed Raza, 22, a resident of Wasanpura, Muhammad Junaid, 23, of Gawalmandi and Farzana, 25, 0f Salamat Pura were tested positive for dengue at Mayo Hospital. Allah Yar, 33, of Takia Wali Abadi was brought to Shalamar Hospital, Aroosha Hameed, 25, of Shahdara to Hameed Latif Hospital and Rehmat Farid of Ferozewala to Services Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for Health Khalil Tahir Sindhu has stressed the need of coordinated efforts of all departments for controlling dengue at peak season.

He was chairing a cabinet committee meeting to review dengue situation and steps taken by various departments to control the menace.

MPA Salman Rafique, Secretaries and Additional Secretaries of different departments, Additional Commissioner Lahore, senior officers of Punjab Information Technology Board and Special Branch attended the meeting. Convenor of Dengue Expert Advisory Group and Vice Chancellor KEMU Prof Faisal Masood also attended the meeting.

Secretary Health Hassan Iqbal said that 71 confirmed dengue cases have been reported in Punjab, 943 in Sindh and 847 in Karachi. Similarly, 1056 confirmed cases have been reported from district Swat. He said that department had offered assistance and cooperation to Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. He said that a team of entomologists remained in Swat for one week and provided training to the doctors and other staff for treatment of dengue patients.

Moreover, Health Department has donated 2 CBC machines for blood tests of dengue patients. Besides, 200 kg Temephos and 180 kg Deltamethrin have also been provided for dengue spray.

Moreover 40 drips of dexron have also been given to them for dengue patients’ treatment.
Besides the secretaries of Cooperatives Department, Forest and Fisheries, Labour, Social Welfare, Local Government, Higher Education, Schools Education, Environment, senior officers of Punjab Food Authority, Commissioner Lahore, PITB and Special Branch briefed the meeting regarding the activities of dengue surveillance and larviciding.