Dengue awareness session was held in Jirga hall in tehsil Landi Kotal of Khyber tribal Agency on Wednesday aimed at imparting knowledge to the tribesmen regarding the fatal disease. The gathering was organized under the auspices of health department and was attended by a large number of tribal elders, administration officials, members of the civil society and officials of health department.
Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Political Agent (APA) Landi Kotal, Niaz Muhammad said that such kind of awareness moot were necessary to inform the tribesmen of seriousness of the fatal disease, Dengue. The disease is rapidly spreading in the width and length of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and awakening drive for the tribesmen is need of hour. Earlier, Polio Eradication Officer, World Health Organization (PEO, WHO) Dr Mesal Khan and Agency Health Communication Support Officer (AHCSO), Nisar Khan informed the attendants of symptoms and precautions of Dengue and urged them that in case of any Dengue positive case is identified, the case should be immediately referred to hospitals where free treatment of disease was available.
It is to be mentioned here that so far 14 Dengue positive cases have been detected ten in Jamrud and four in Bara Tehsils in Khyber Agency. Meanwhile the administration of Landi Kotal restricted movements of the locals in mountainous area and asked the tribals not to travel to hilly picnic points due to security reasons.
In a tribal elders gathering, convened to discuss security situation of the area held in jirga Landi Kotal on Wednesday, APA Landi Kotal, Niaz Muhammad expressed his regret over the abduction incident at picnic point in which 17 locals were kidnapped by unknown militants and had been shifted to Afghanistan.