MIANWALI, Oct 27 Three patients have been tested positive for dengue in this district, Dawn has learnt. Two of them are being treated at DHQ Hospital and one at a private clinic.

The health department has established a special ward for dengue patients at DHQ Hospital where Hasan Nadeem Khan, of Bitian, and Mohammad Zubair, of Kundian, are being treated. Both are doing well after being tested positive for dengue a couple of days ago.

Talking to Dawn on Wednesday, Dr Shaukat Zaman, who is pathologist at DHQ Hospital, said they had tested over a dozen patients brought at the out-patient department with high fever. Two of them were tested positive, and they were being treated at the hospital. He said sufficient stock of dengue test kits was available with them.

Medical Superintendent Dr Hafiz Abdul Qadir told Dawn they had made arrangements well in time to handle dengue patients and established a special ward where medicines were being provided and tests conducted free of cost.

He said all the basic health units and centres and even private clinics were alerted to refer all suspected dengue patients to DHQ Hospital. He said TMOs had been directed to fumigate their respective areas.

Mianwali TMO Khalid Khan told Dawn they had started fumigating city areas and suburban parts of tehsil on Wednesday.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Mianwali TMA swung into action only after the patients were tested positive for dengue, and any TMA of the district did not bother paying heed to health department's direction to fumigate their respective areas as a precautionary measure.

BAHAWALPUR Special wards or beds have been arranged for dengue patients on the direction of the health department in all public hospitals, including Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) and Hasilpur, Ahmedpur East, Yazman and Khairpur Tamewali THQ hospitals where medicines will be provided free of cost.

Health EDO Dr Javed Umar said doctors had been imparted training to treat dengue patients, while an awareness campaign had also been launched for the general public.

He said medicines had been provided to the BVH administration for dengue patients. He said suspected dengue patients should not use disprin.