Rawalpindi - A total of 8,553 patients suspected of having dengue have been received by the Allied Hospitals for screening during the current season, sources disclosed on Friday.

The laboratory experts of the AHs have screened 2,575 suspected patients and out of which 586 have been confirmed with dengue while the results of 1,369 others have been negative, sources added. As many as 1005 dengue suspects were put on follow up and results of 19 dengue patients were being awaited, they said.

Sources informed that the highest number of patients (4526) arrived in the Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) whereas 3372 suspected patients approached doctors in Holy Family Hospital (HFH). A total of 655 dengue suspects went to OPD in District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital for screening, sources said.

According to sources, a total of 60 dengue suspects have been brought in OPDs of three teaching hospitals in the last 24 hours for medical treatment. Of 60, 23 were admitted in HFH and 11 in BBH. 16 were confirmed dengue patients out of total 34 patients under observation in HFH and BBH.

A dengue patient had also died in HFH two days ago, they said.

Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Muhammad Umar, when contacted, confirmed that AHs has received a huge bulk of patients and provided them adequate medical treatment. He said that the health department is working on a comprehensive plan to share dengue cases in all teaching hospitals. Specific beds have been allocated for dengue patients in all the wards of AHs where the doctors and other paramedical staff have been taking care of the patients.

“I am personally paying visits to dengue wards in three teaching hospitals and enquiring the health of patients and checking the performance of doctors,” RMU VC added. He said the hospital management has also been updating the provincial government about the influx of dengue patients.