The Kech district in Balochistan is facing an escalating health crisis as the dengue virus continues to spread, affecting Turbat, its major city, and the surrounding areas. Dengue virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, causes dengue fever, a disease characterized by severe flu-like symptoms that can potentially become severe or lethal.
The latest victim to succumb to this health crisis is a local resident, Zahir, son of Zahid Ali from Shahi Tump. Initially diagnosed and treated in Turbat, Zahir was later transferred to a private hospital in Karachi due to inadequate medical facilities in the area. Tragically, he passed away during treatment on Friday, 2nd of June, 2023.
Zahir’s death marks the third officially recorded fatality in Turbat directly attributed to dengue fever. Other victims include Taj Muhammad, son of Lal Muhammad of Gogadan, and Akhtar Ali, a retired bureaucrat from Koshkalat.
However, according to unofficial sources, the actual death toll in the Kech district could be considerably higher than reported, indicating a potential underreporting of cases.
Turbat’s Teaching Hospital, which typically manages about 2,000 hospital visits per day, has recently reported that nearly half of these visits are now dengue-related. This alarming statistic underscores the dire need for immediate intervention and robust health measures.