The District Health Office Islamabad has launched a coordinated campaign to bolster dengue prevention ahead of the season, mobilising government bodies, educational institutions and community partners across the capital.
Advisory letters and notices have been issued to public and private institutions, including school administrations, to enforce dengue prevention SOPs, prioritise environmental sanitation and nominate focal persons to oversee implementation and coordination within each organisation.
Formal communication with the Capital Development Authority’s Directorate of Sanitation urges urgent action on removal and proper disposal of discarded tyres, desilting of drains, improved solid waste management, increased waste collection frequency and secure covering of waste storage areas to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
Training institutes have been asked to nominate staff for participation in dengue surveillance initiatives, with the District Health Office providing capacity-building sessions to strengthen community-based surveillance and rapid response at the local level.
The District Administration has been requested to coordinate multi-departmental efforts involving Auqaf, Local Government and Rural Development, Civil Defence and cooperative housing societies. Housing societies have been advised to implement preventive measures and issue Dengue Clearance Certificates every 10 to 15 days while maintaining oversight of construction sites, vacant plots and solid waste disposal.
The Islamabad Health Regulatory Authority has been engaged to ensure private diagnostic centres and laboratories comply with clinical management standards, maintain functioning triage desks, uphold diagnostic accuracy, follow government-subsidised testing rates and report real-time dengue data, with zero tolerance for under-reporting.
The Health Services Academy has been asked to support community engagement by mobilising students and volunteers for evidence-based awareness campaigns, source reduction demonstrations, data-driven mapping and behavioural change communication to reduce mosquito breeding.
Relevant departments such as Fisheries, Wildlife, Agriculture and Livestock have received sector-specific guidance on hatchery management, park sanitation, farmer education on water management and greenhouse practices, and measures to control mosquito life cycles in agricultural and livestock settings.
Dr Syeda Rashida Batool, District Health Officer Islamabad, urged collective action and robust institutional coordination, stressing that strict implementation of preventive measures, environmental cleanliness and active public awareness are essential to prevent dengue transmission and protect residents.
The District Health Office reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening surveillance, expanding public awareness and implementing targeted preventive interventions to safeguard Islamabad, with dengue prevention remaining a priority across departments and communities.
