Panjgur Grapples With Dengue Surge, Residents Criticize Healthcare Response

Panjgur, Oct 15: A surge in dengue fever cases has sparked growing concern in Panjgur district, with infections reported among men, women, and children, according to a report by Dawn.

Residents and local political figures have raised serious alarms over the district’s healthcare response, highlighting insufficient facilities and inadequate preventive measures. Several cases have reportedly emerged among individuals returning from Karachi, with infections spreading rapidly in areas like Khudabadan and Chitkan.

Community members criticized the lack of fumigation drives and the absence of a dedicated dengue control unit. A local social worker said, “With a population of around one million, Panjgur lacks an effective system to combat dengue. Anti-mosquito spray initiatives over the years have largely been symbolic, serving more as photo ops than actual preventive measures.”

Rahmat Saleh Baloch, Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the National Party in the Balochistan Assembly, expressed urgent concern, urging the provincial government, UNICEF, and the WHO to deploy medical teams immediately and implement emergency measures. He highlighted that local hospitals are ill-equipped, lacking testing kits and specialized staff, warning that the virus could claim more lives without swift action.

Baloch stressed the need to classify Panjgur as a dengue-affected district and implement emergency protocols, including widespread fumigation, public awareness campaigns, and upgrades to medical facilities. Civil society representatives have also called on Provincial Assembly members, including Asadullah Baloch and Rahmat Saleh Baloch, to push for the establishment of a dedicated dengue treatment unit at Panjgur Hospital.

The outbreak underscores growing concerns about healthcare infrastructure in the region and the urgent need for coordinated preventive measures.