More beds added as Punjab sees increase in Dengue cases

Lahore: Dr Yasmin Rashid, Health Minister, Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Punjab recently noted an increase in dengue cases over the past six weeks in Punjab.

While addressing a press conference here at Chief Minister Secretariat., she said, "An increase in dengue cases has been observed over the past six weeks in Punjab due to changing weather." 

Lahore is in the lead, with 1603 cases reported. Rawalpindi reported 208 cases. Attock reported 20 cases. Sargodha reported 15 cases. Hospitals had to cater to dengue and COVID-19 patients simultaneously.

"Beds have been increased in High Dependency Units of Punjab. In public sector hospitals of Lahore, 530 beds have been reserved for Dengue patients, and 138 beds have been reserved in HDUs. In Lahore, 190 patients are under treatment in public sector hospitals, and 81 patients are admitted in private hospitals. Since January 2021, 4 people have lost their lives to dengue in the province," Yasmin informed.

Since then, as many as 15 cabinet committee meetings have been held to review the dengue situation. Out of 8 million homes in Punjab and 3.5 million in Lahore, most of these have been checked by surveillance teams.

"The government has made timely arrangements to keep people safe from dengue.", she reassured.

In Lahore, 31,000 homes were identified vis-a-vis dengue larva. Case responses were initiated at 500,000 homes. The biggest epicentres were DHA, Cantt, Johar Town, and Allama Iqbal Town.

Mohammad Ajmal Bhatti, Secretary, Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, and Dr Asad Aslam Khan, Consultant Professor alongside Imran Sikander Baloch, Secretary, Department of Primary and Secondary Healthcare, also discussed measures to intensify surveillance in meeting with Corps Commander Lahore.