DERA GHAZI KHAN: Nine hundred cases of malaria were reported in the district in the last three months, the highest rate of reported cases of the disease in the province, sources told Dawn.

Chief Executive Officer health Dr Shahid Magsi told Dawn the reason behind the rise in the malaria cases was geographical position of the district as it was located on the border of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He said Dera Ghazi Khan was the transit district for the commuters, coming into Punjab from KP and Balochistan.

Dr Magsi said the health department was making utmost efforts to eradicate malaria from the district. He said a new malaria eradication centre was recently established at the Khar hospital in the tribal area to provide treatment to people who live on the boundaries of the province.

Shahid Magsi said municipal corporation and district council had an important role in eradication of malaria as they were duty-bound to eliminate ponds of contaminated water in the city and rest of the district but it was not done and the city had become a filthy place and ideal for the growth of mosquitoes.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2019