Commissioner Karachi takes note of dengue and rabies in the city

KARACHI: Commissioner Karachi recently called a meeting to review the outbreak of dengue in the megacity. The meeting also discussed the issue of stray dogs and the rising number of rabies-related deaths in the city.

The meeting was co-chaired by Commissioner Karachi, Iftikhar Shallwani, and Secretary Health, Saeed Awan. They issued a high alert to the concerned departments of hospitals and assigned special duties to Deputy Commissioners to play their role in providing support to these institutions in checking the spread of the dengue virus.

The meeting decided that all Deputy Commissioners will undertake immediate actions making all stakeholders active and concerned. Additionally, the relevant departments, including the Health Department, Dengue Control Program, KMC, DMCs, and Cantonment Boards, would make efforts to take preventive measures. They would also ensure that those suffering from dengue get better treatment facilities.

All Deputy Commissioners would form teams for taking preventive measures. Awareness campaigns are a necessity. Building sites, tire shops, nurseries, and other breeding grounds for mosquitoes would also be properly checked.

The meeting also took notice of reports showing the rising number of stray dogs in the megacity and the dog bite cases being reported in the province. It decided that the issue will be addressed on a priority basis.

The meeting was attended others including Dr Naseem Salahuddin, Head of Department of Infectious Diseases at The Indus Hospital (TIH), Medical Superintendents of the various major hospitals including JPMC, Civil Hospital, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Indus Hospital, and hospitals being run by the Cantonment Boards. Senior officials from the Health Department, Project Manager, Dengue Control Program, Additional Deputy Commissioners of all districts, Senior Director, Health, KMC, Senior Director, Recreation, KMC, and others were also present on occasion.

It was decided that the vaccination of stray dogs would be carried under a comprehensive plan under the guidance of the Department of Infectious Diseases at The Indus Hospital (TIH) as per the advice of the WHO. Training programs would be conducted in all key public hospitals in the city as well as in the province, including the JPMC, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, and Civil Hospital.