PESHAWAR: Health Deputy Director Dr Tanveer Inam has urged the masses to avoid self-medication incase of dengue virus as it could lead to further complications.
He expressed these views, during a radio transmission in dengue, held at Pakhtunkhwa Radio, Peshawar on Tuesday.
Dr Tanveer said that the government health facilities across the province were fully equipped to treat dengue patients; therefore, incase of any symptoms of dengue virus, the suspect should immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility.
“Incase of body pain, high fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and rashes, the patients should be taken to the nearest health unit and patients should not be given any medicine except paracetamol and panadol,” he advised.
Dr Tanveer said that patients with dengue virus get dehydrated and therefore, need more and more fluid intake. He went on to say that the government was proactively engaged to create mass awareness about dengue and people were being informed through different means. In this regard, he said, lady health workers had been assigned to visit houses and distribute pamphlets containing information about the disease.
“The provincial health department is in close contact with the district administration, line departments, public representatives and clergy to sensitise masses in their respective areas,” he said.
Dr Tanveer also said that the education department high-ups had been asked to keep the students informed.
He said that media has always played a significant role in creating awareness and need to play its role regarding dengue as well.
Responding to a question, he said that every mosquito is not a host for dengue virus, adding that dengue mosquito happened to be black whereas the white stripes on its body distinguish it from other mosquitoes.
About precautionary measures, he said that all water pots should be properly covered, people should be properly dressed up covering their bodies from toe to head and all the doors and windows be duly protected through nets.
He said that spray and fumigation were in progress in the target areas and patients were being treated in isolated wards whereas patients were also being provided with bed nets for home use.
“Instead of being scarred of the dengue, people should take appropriate preventive measures to avoid any health issue,” he concluded.
