ISLAMABAD: The President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, emphasized the need for maximum awareness to save people from the deadly Dengue fever in Pakistan, which claims many lives every year. Bakhtawari stressed the responsibility to work with local health authorities to control the spread of the virus during its peak season, which is September and October.
During a visit to ICCI, District Health Officer, Islamabad Dr Zaeem Zia, was briefed by Bakhtawari on the concerning statistics reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO stated that 62 deaths from over 25,900 confirmed Dengue cases were reported in Pakistan from January to September 2022, with 74% of these cases being reported in September alone. This data highlights the vulnerability of the country and its federal capital to the virus.
Bakhtawari stressed the importance of creating maximum awareness about the virus among the citizens and assured DHO Islamabad that ICCI, in collaboration with Market Associations, would organize awareness sessions on the Dengue virus and its preventive measures in the business community and the general public. He also offered to provide volunteers to DHO Islamabad for an awareness campaign.
Dr Zia shared the plans of his organization to save people from the virus in the capital, including creating a sustainable volunteer group that would receive proper training to cope with the Dengue virus. The plans also involve various campaigns, including a cycling event, and UNICEF’s engagement in the campaign.
DHO Islamabad will provide an option on their website for citizens to give online feedback. Both DHO Islamabad and ICCI President will visit various hospitals to observe the arrangements to cope with Dengue fever. Overall, the message emphasized the need for creating awareness and taking preventative measures against the Dengue virus to protect people’s lives in Pakistan.
(Islambad51-Newsdesk)
