KARACHI - Sindh Health Minister Dr. Saghir Ahmed Wednesday said some 175 patients with suspected dengue fever have so far been admitted to various hospitals since January 2008. He said their blood tests led to confirmation of 23 dengue cases. Chairing a meeting at his office regarding dengue, the Minister said out of 23 confirmed dengue cases, two died while the rest were discharged after treatment. Dr. Saghir said according to latest situation, nine dengue patients are admitted to city's various hospitals and dengue was confirmed in six cases after their blood tests. He said such patients are being provided free treatment in the Health Department's hospitals. This includes free provision of platelets and free tests of dengue fever. The Minister pointed out that all EDOs Health in the interior of Sindh have already been issued directives for providing free treatment facilities in dengue fever cases while Civil Hospitals in Karachi and Hyderabad have been given focal status for dengue treatment. He informed that out of six confirmed cases of nine suspect dengue cases in Karachi, one patient is admitted to Qatar Hospital, one to Sindh Government Services Hospital, one to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and three to Ziauddin Hospital while three such patients are admitted to Kutiyana Hospital whose blood samples have been sent for tests.