Monsoon rains: Malaria threat on the rise in Lahore

LAHORE: As the monsoon season starts, health experts have warned of a rising number of malaria cases.

“Several patients have been brought to Services Hospital with symptoms of malaria fever,” Dr Farhan of Services Hospital said.

He said that rainwater ponds had become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

“The Health Department did not issue any alert or make adequate arrangements in public sector hospitals prior to the rains,” he said.

“Approximately, 35 patients with symptoms of malaria have been brought to Mayo Hospital from Shahdara alone,” Dr Salman Kazmi said. However, he said no dengue fever case had been reported.

After the rain on Sunday night, water accumulated in various localities. The Meteorological Department has predicted more rains during the next weak.

“In view of the weather situation, hospitals have completed arrangements and rescheduled the duty rosters of paramedical staff and doctors during Eid holidays,” Kazmi said.

He said that there was a shortage of medicines and paramedical staff at public sector hospitals. “The provision of medicines at hospitals will be helpful in dealing with the situation,” he said.

He said during Eid holidays, a large number of people would go to recreational areas and public parks. “We need to raise awareness among people about the heightened risk of electric shocks, snake bites, road accidents,” he said.

Health Department spokesman Akhlaq Ali Khan said that all arrangements had been made to deal with malaria. “Some elements just want to blame the department. We are aware that large number of people will go out during Eid holidays. There is a greater risk of receiving electric shock and snakes bites. We have made arrangement in this regard,” he said.

“All medicines that are needed in a post-rain situation are already available at hospitals. The department has established an arrangement with Rescue 1122 and the Lahore administration to ensure transparency in all operations,” he said.