Experts call for setting up vector-borne diseases cell at Karachi

MN Report

Karachi: Health experts have demanded of Sindh health department to carry out surveillance of dengue and other vector-borne diseases throughout the year in Sindh province, especially in Karachi, to eliminate dengue mosquito.

They shared these views while speaking at a seminar titled “Is eradication of dengue virus possible?” held here under the aegis of Arts Council’s medical & social welfare committee as a part of its awareness campaign.

Karachi University’s Microbiology department’s former chairman Prof Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi said anti-dengue fumigation campaign should be carried out across Karachi with a proper strategy and planning. She said dengue and other vector-borne diseases’ surveillance and awareness programmes must be conducted throughout the year to eliminate such diseases in future.

She suggested the authorities concerned should set up vector-borne diseases cell in Karachi for monitoring and surveillance of such diseases.        

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar said that preventive measure should be taken to protect citizens from dengue as the peak season of dengue viral fever begins from Sept 1 and continues up to Nov 15.

He advised the citizens to keep their food items and water properly covered at homes and at their work places. Besides, water should not be allowed to accumulate in any part of the
city, he added.

Sindh Dengue Prevention & Control Programme’s manager Dr Masood Ahmed Solangi said separate dengue wards have been established in public sector hospitals of Karachi, while dengue surveillance

activities have also been increased throughout the province to control dengue.

Moreover, comprehensive awareness drive has been launched in Karachi and in the interior Sindh to control further prevalence of dengue, he added.