LAHORE – Punjab is grappling with a rapidly escalating dengue outbreak, but mounting allegations suggest that the true scale of the crisis is being concealed. Health authorities are accused of underreporting deaths and suppressing critical data, raising alarm among medical experts and the public alike. The Dengue Expert Advisory Group (DEAG) has warned that the province is teetering on the edge of a severe epidemic, and delayed action could have disastrous consequences.
Sources indicate that southern districts, including Multan and Faisalabad, have witnessed an alarming surge in dengue cases, with some reporting a tenfold increase in positive diagnoses in recent weeks. Despite the rising toll, officials at district and provincial levels are allegedly being pressured to avoid recording deaths, leaving official dashboards that track the outbreak dangerously inaccurate. Experts describe this as a “criminal lapse” that endangers thousands of lives.
The DEAG has sent formal communications to Punjab’s primary and secondary healthcare authorities, highlighting high-risk districts such as Kasur, Sahiwal, Rahim Yar Khan, and Attock. The group has condemned the delay in preventive measures, emphasizing that mosquito control and surveillance should have been initiated months ago in line with World Health Organization guidelines.
Reports from hospitals in Multan suggest that some deaths are being misclassified or diverted away from dengue-designated wards. Critically low platelet counts and hemorrhagic symptoms, hallmarks of severe dengue, are reportedly being omitted from official records. One cited case involves a young man who succumbed to dengue-related complications, but his death was allegedly suppressed in provincial statistics.
Medical experts warn that this is not merely a reporting issue but a systemic failure. Hospital wards are overburdened, mosquito control measures are insufficient, and accurate reporting of deaths and cases is being compromised. Local administrators, including District Commissioners and Health Authority CEOs, are reportedly exerting influence over data collection and reporting, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
The DEAG has urged provincial authorities to immediately intensify anti-dengue operations, accurately report all cases and fatalities, and implement strict surveillance measures. Without urgent intervention, Punjab risks facing a public health catastrophe with widespread infections and preventable deaths. The advisory group stressed that transparency and timely action are critical not only for saving lives but also for maintaining public trust in the province’s health system.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.