The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided to utilise the services of ulema and Khateebs to control the spread of dengue virus.

Over 10,000 dengue cases have been confirmed throughout the country and the government is making efforts to stop the further spread of the disease. In KP, over 3,000 dengue cases have been confirmed this year.

In order to control this alarming situation, the government, besides other measures, has decided to utilise the services of ulema and Khateebs to educate the people about the precautionary measures to prevent the disease.

The administrator of Auqaf Department has sent a letter to Ulema and Khateebs in which it has been stated that the disease is spreading quickly mainly due to lack of awareness among the people. It stated that the provincial government and the Health Department are running an awareness campaign to control the disease.

The letter has requested the ulema and Khateebs to play their role in creating awareness among the people about the disease and preventive measures.

Although thousands of people have been infected by dengue virus in KP this year, but the provincial government insists that no death from the disease has been reported.

The government has taken several steps to contain the spread of the disease including fumigation in affected areas, distribution of mosquito nets, and establishment of separate wards for dengue patients in many hospitals and running awareness campaign.

The provincial government says best possible treatment facilities are being provided to the dengue patients in Peshawar and other districts of the province. It says fumigation is also being carried out to contain the spread of the virus.

However, still many dengue cases have been reported particularly from Peshawar. The provincial health authorities informed the Peshawar High court on Wednesday that 3,861 dengue patients have been provided treatment so far and 235 others are still under treatment.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019