Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has directed all concerned departments to take immediate steps to prevent a possible dengue outbreak in the province following recent rains, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Tuesday.
According to an official notice from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, stagnant rainwater has created favorable conditions for the breeding of dengue mosquitoes. Letters have been issued to divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and other relevant departments, instructing them to launch an urgent cleaning and anti-dengue campaign.
The directives emphasized that special focus should be placed on the drainage of standing water in public places, construction sites, markets, schools, government offices, and drains. The Health Department has been ordered to make advance arrangements in hospitals, ensuring the availability of medicines, diagnostic facilities, and treatment for dengue patients. A province-wide surveillance and timely reporting system for dengue cases is also to be developed.
Local bodies have been instructed to carry out regular spraying and larvicidal measures in sensitive areas, while the Information Department, Health Department, and district administrations will jointly launch a large-scale public awareness campaign using print, electronic, and social media. Citizens are being urged to cover water tanks, drain standing water from homes and neighborhoods, and adopt protective measures such as mosquito nets, repellents, and suitable clothing. Community mobilization through mosques, schools, and local elders will also be part of the campaign.
The Chief Minister directed all commissioners to submit weekly reports on dengue prevention measures, hospital preparedness, and awareness campaigns. He stressed that dengue prevention is a collective responsibility in which every citizen must play a role, adding that relevant departments are accountable for ensuring effective measures and keeping the public informed.