PESHAWAR, Pakistan: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai has said that dengue epidemic has been significantly controlled due to an effective measures taken by the provincial government.
While addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Thursday, the minister said that 3,500 dengue patients have fully been recovered while 450 patients are still admitted in different hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, he added that dengue virus has so far claimed 18 lives.
The health minister further told that the Public Health Ordinance has been approved in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the first time in the Country’s history under which Public Committee was analyzing and working on a comprehensive mechanism of controlling dengue virus besides others infectious and viral diseases.
The minister said that directives have been issued to all Basic Health Units (BHUs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to adopt precautionary measures for control of dengue and others viral diseases.
Shahram Tarakai said that the cooperation of masses was imperative for control of dengue epidemic, adding that special teams have been constituted by the KP health department that was busy in fumigation and anti-dengue spray besides disposal of dengue larva if found.
The minister said that open water tanks in 75,000 houses have been covered in the affected areas of Tehkal, Peshtakra and others areas.
Moreover, he said that additional doctors, medical experts and paramedics were recruited for effective control of dengue diseases, and directives were issued for countering dengue virus in other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa besides Peshawar.
The health minister lauded the assistance provided by the Punjab government for providing treatment to dengue patients in Peshawar.
