PESHAWAR – Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Suhail Afridi directed the provincial information department to launch a massive public awareness campaign against dengue. He instructed members of the provincial assembly and local government representatives to join the effort and ensure awareness reaches the grassroots level.
Chairing a meeting on dengue prevention, Afridi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to continue anti-dengue measures until the virus ends completely. He ordered all departments to submit regular progress reports under the dengue action plan and emphasized strict implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in high-risk districts.
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Afridi told health and municipal authorities to start door-to-door awareness drives to stop dengue from spreading in the upcoming season. He also issued clear directions that no political leader’s picture should appear in official government advertisements. He stressed that the focus must remain on public health and community safety.
The Chief Minister said health and education remain top priorities of his government, aligned with the vision of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He added that his administration aims to restore public confidence in healthcare institutions by addressing systemic gaps. “There must be no compromise on hospital facilities for patients,” he said, calling the Sehat Card a “gift from the PTI government to the people.”
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Afridi promised full government support to strengthen the healthcare system and control dengue. During the meeting, officials said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa currently has 311 active dengue cases, with 39 patients receiving treatment in various hospitals.
Data showed 3,729 cases and two deaths this year, compared to 4,266 cases and three deaths last year. Charsadda remains the most affected district with 1,037 cases, followed by Peshawar with 377, Mardan with 343, Haripur with 329, and Mansehra with 299.
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Health officials said July to October marks the peak dengue season. The ongoing action plan involves 11 departments, including health, local government, environment, and district administration. They hold weekly review meetings at district and provincial levels.
Afridi instructed departments to speed up the hiring of entomologists and lady health visitors. He asked for a realistic and immediate recruitment summary for approval. He said eliminating dengue from the province requires full cooperation from all departments and institutions.
