Dengue Cases Surge in Rawalpindi with 58 New Admissions Amidst Crackdown on Uncooperative Departments

Rawalpindi sees a significant surge in dengue cases with 58 new admissions, raising the season total to 779. Officials and health teams escalate efforts under Chief Minister's directive, stressing departmental cooperation and SOP compliance.

Rawalpindi witnessed a significant spike in dengue cases on Tuesday, with 58 new patients admitted to three government hospitals, pushing the season's total count to 779. According to officials, 201 dengue patients are being treated at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, and tehsil headquarters hospitals, Dawn reported.

The latest cases predominantly emerged from areas like 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, and Takhat Pari. On Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's directions, a 16-member team of dengue experts from Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare has arrived in Rawalpindi to tackle the escalating situation.

Secretary of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Nadia Saqib and her team inspected various areas to evaluate dengue control efforts, focusing on hotspot coverage and larvae presence, reported Dawn. In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister's Adviser on Health, retired Major General Dr. Azhar Mehmood Kayani, concerns about departmental cooperation were raised. Kayani warned, 'Strict action will be taken against departments that do not collaborate in the anti-dengue campaign,' advocating for intensified efforts and SOP compliance. The upcoming Cabinet Committee meeting on Anti-Dengue will assess departmental performance. Full hotspot coverage is expected within 48 hours, according to Dawn.

Nadia Saqib tasked the Punjab Information Technology Board with maintaining daily records of dengue-related operations and urged all departments to cooperate fully with the district administration. Topics such as team performance, response measures, indoor and outdoor surveillance, and medicine availability were also discussed during the meeting. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)