Zubair Qureshi
A twenty-five bed special dengue ward has been set up at Federal General Hospital (Chak Shahzad) for dengue patients from within the city and the outskirts of Islamabad.
This is in addition to dengue wards already working in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and FG Polyclinic hospitals of the federal capital.
The Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr Zafar Mirza after inaugurating the ward took a round of the dengue ward and gave instructions to staff to work with the highest level of dedication and commitment.
Dr Zafar Mirza is personally monitoring the dengue situation and directions have been issued to hospitals to maintain high level of preparedness and ensure best possible treatment to each dengue patient.
During his interaction with media Dr Zafar Mirza said Islamabad hospitals were taking care of dengue patients with all resources and facilities at their disposal.
Not only patients from Islamabad but those from Rawalpindi are also being treated here, he said.
In this context, he added that he was in touch with Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid. We are committed to effectively preventing treating the disease, SAPM said.
Besides, Dengue Control Cell is working round-the-clock and is in continuous liaison with all concerned departments, public and private hospitals, civic bodies, DMA and MCI.
Islamabad Administration regularly holds meetings to review situation and take immediate measures required. With coordinated concerted efforts the situation is improving, SAPM said.
He said preventive campaign is underway including Identifying and destroying mosquito breeding sites, covering open drinking containers, removal of tyres, shoppers, plastic Bottles and other wastes from roofs, draining water from room coolers and trays of refrigerators.
Special teams of sanitary inspectors, malaria supervisors and lady health workers are in the field for the purpose. Social mobilization campaign has been launched through Lady Health Workers to create awareness amongst the local communities to educate them on prevention against dengue and eliminating dengue vector breeding sites.
Dr Zafar Mirza called upon the people to adopt preventive measures by maintaining cleanliness in and around their homes, eliminating breeding sites – water bodies, old tyres, bottles and cover open drinking containers.
