RAWALPINDI: As many as 57 dengue patients arrived in three government-run hospitals in Rawalpindi taking their tally to more than 501 in just two weeks.

The official data has not carried the patients admitted to private hospitals.

Previous years, the provincial government collected the data of dengue patients from all the laboratories and private clinics.

Three hospitals under administrative control of Rawalpindi Medical University are still following the standard operating procedures set by previous Punjab government and managed the patients effectively.

The Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid has asked the health authority to collect data of the dengue patients from all private hospitals, clinics and laboratory.

According to sources, thedengueincidence was highinRawalpindi compared to adjoining districts of Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal.

Residents of cantonment areas blamed district administration for rising number of cases.

They said the administration had failed to conduct fumigation in low lying areas especially in localities located near Leh Nullah which had been a breeding place for dengue mosquitoes.

Even, there was no surveillance conducted in government offices.

“Out of the total 501 patients arrived at outpatients departments of the three hospitals, 423 patients were discharged after getting treatment,” said Dr Sajjad Mahmood, District Coordinator Epidemics Prevention and Control.

He said the health department fumigated9,016 houses and sprayed anti-dengue medicines in 6,514 houses.

During the last 24 hours, the teams checked 22 areas.

On the other hand, a senior doctor of Holy Family Hospital said that there was no letup in the dengue patients and it was expected that the number of the patients will increase in the coming days till next month.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2021