An alarming dengue outbreak is gripping the Hyderabad Division, where 587 positive cases have been identified from just 1,258 tests, prompting a high-level emergency response from the provincial government. The startling figures were revealed during a crucial meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, which was convened following his unannounced inspections of dengue treatment facilities in major Karachi hospitals.
According to official report today, during the session, the Chief Secretary mandated a series of stringent measures to control the escalating public health crisis. All Deputy Commissioners have been ordered to publicly disseminate fumigation and spray schedules through media channels to foster transparency and community involvement. Mr. Shah stressed the need for documented proof of fieldwork, demanding that districts submit reports with before-and-after photographs of cleanup operations.
In a move to enhance accountability, the Chief Secretary directed all Municipal Officers to report immediately to their respective Deputy Commissioners for better coordination and swift action. Furthermore, he instructed administrations across the province to establish an effective complaint redressal system, ensuring that public concerns regarding dengue prevention are handled with priority.
The provincial health apparatus is also being mobilized on a war footing. The Secretary of Health announced the creation of a data linkage system connecting all laboratories in Sindh for real-time monitoring of dengue infections. This data will be shared daily with the public via the Sindh Information Department. To manage the patient influx, 219 dedicated beds have been allocated in Karachi, with similar arrangements made for diagnosis and treatment in all other districts.
Commissioner Hyderabad, Fayyaz Abbasi, provided a detailed briefing on the dire state of affairs in his division, noting that 30 dengue hotspots have been identified. In response, daily fumigation campaigns are underway, supplemented by 225 awareness sessions in various localities. Currently, 209 patients are receiving treatment in 17 hospitals, where a total of 267 beds have been reserved for dengue cases.
To bolster the on-ground response, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) was directed to supply additional fumigation machines, mosquito nets, and dengue testing kits to Hyderabad and other high-risk districts. The Chief Secretary reiterated that all Deputy Commissioners must guarantee the availability of beds, medicines, and testing facilities in designated dengue wards.
Concluding the review, Chief Secretary Shah emphasized that only a coordinated inter-departmental effort combined with public awareness and a timely response could effectively curb the virus”s spread. He ordered all departments to maintain strict vigilance and intensify preventive actions to safeguard public health.