Health teams from Punjab reach Peshawar to 'fight' dengue

PESHAWAR: The number of people suspected to have dengue virus in the metropolis has reached over 900, with more cases recently reported from Khyber Teaching Hospital, sources said.

According to hospital sources, so far five people have succumbed to the dengue virus. However, citizens say the actual count was 10. But as per the district administration, one person has died due to dengue virus.

Teams from Punjab in Peshawar

A team of medics and paramedics from Punjab has reached Peshawar to fight the dengue virus. However, sources said, since the teams do not have access to the hospitals they have set up a camp in Tehkal, an area with the highest number of dengue patients.

While talking to Geo News on Sunday, the incharge of Punjab government's mobile health unit, Dr Matloob-ul-Hassan, said two mobile health units were on their way to Peshawar.

He added dengue virus has been detected in five people in the area since Saturday. 

This is not a political agenda: Punjab health minister

Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Khawaja Imran Nazeer, who was present in Tehkal on Sunday, told Geo News they were in Peshawar with the national flag, not their party's.

"This is not a political agenda," he said. "We have come to help the people in crisis."

He added they even phoned the health minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but he did not show up.

"If the [KP] health minister does not come we will give the [required] items to Amir Muqam," Nazeer said. "The KP government is taking the dengue issue lightly." 

KP health minister accepts help from Punjab: Nazeer

The KP health minister agreed to use the mobile health units sent by the Punjab government, Nazeer said.

"I will return after handing over the mobile health units to the KP government," he added. "The KP government will look after the vehicles and paramedics."

The two health ministers spoke over the phone later in the day.

"KP Health Minister Shahram Tarakai and I spoke about the dengue situation," Nazeer said. "I told him to meet us even if he wants to run things his way."