Dengue Mismanagement Remains a Critical Issue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Dengue fever remains a growing concern in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where unauthorized medical practitioners are mistreating patients without proper diagnoses. As the province reported 104 new cases of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in the last 24 hours, the total number of cases this year has surged to 2,251, according to health officials.

Dr. Nadeem Akhtar, Chief of the Health Care Commission (HCC) KP, confirmed that efforts against quackery are ongoing, including targeting unauthorized medical practices related to dengue. Although the commission has limited staff in many districts, it continues to impose penalties and shut down clinics where malpractice is detected.

“The HCC is committed to cracking down on harmful medical practices, ensuring that people receive quality medical care in both private and public hospitals,” said Dr. Akhtar.

With the onset of October, the number of dengue cases has risen significantly. Despite free diagnostic services in public hospitals, many patients still seek treatment from unauthorized practitioners to avoid the higher costs of visiting licensed doctors.

One Peshawar resident, Jawad Khan from Tehkal, shared that he took his wife to a neighborhood clinic due to her high fever, paying just Rs1,000 for a saline infusion. Many private clinics operate without proper diagnostic procedures, putting dengue patients at risk by treating them without lab tests.

Dr. Irshad Roghani, Director of Public Health, emphasized that the HCC is actively taking action against clinics engaging in unsafe practices. Additionally, the department is running awareness campaigns to educate the public about dengue prevention and encourage people to seek proper medical treatment.

Since 2010, dengue has been a recurring health challenge in KP, infecting thousands each year. Public hospitals offer free diagnostic services, including PCR tests, which are conducted at the Public Health Reference Laboratory at Khyber Medical University and in 12 district laboratories.

Currently, the majority of dengue cases are reported in Peshawar, with 748 confirmed cases. Hospitals are treating 74 patients, with 23 new admissions in the last 24 hours. In total, 347 patients have been hospitalized this year for dengue treatment, and the province has 652 active cases, while 1,597 people have recovered.

Endemic areas in KP, including Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu, Kohistan Lower, and Mansehra, are receiving increased attention from the health department, which is working with other departments to implement anti-dengue measures in affected hotspots.

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