By: Abdullah Shah Baghdadi
The growing breeding of mosquitoes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in urban and rural areas, is becoming a serious public health issue. Changes in weather, poor sanitation, open drains, ponds, stagnant water, defective sewerage systems, and inadequate cleanliness have created a favorable environment for mosquito breeding.
As a result, diseases such as malaria, dengue, typhoid, and other infectious illnesses are spreading rapidly. Unfortunately, despite the seriousness of the issue, the relevant authorities appear unable to take effective practical measures.Public circles believe that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Health Department, Local Government Department, District Administration, and the VBD (Vector Borne Diseases Program) are all fully aware of the gravity of the problem, yet substantial action is still lacking. In many areas, street drains remain filled with garbage, stagnant dirty water can be seen everywhere, while ponds and pools have become major breeding grounds for mosquitoes. If these locations are sprayed regularly and on time, dangerous diseases could be controlled to a large extent.
According to health experts, mosquitoes are not merely ordinary insects; they are carriers of several life-threatening diseases. Dengue fever affects hundreds of people every year, while malaria is especially dangerous for children and the elderly. Although awareness campaigns are launched at the government level, practical measures are almost nonexistent. Spray campaigns often remain limited to paperwork, while the ground reality tells a different story.The public demands that the government immediately release special funds to launch a regular mosquito spray campaign in cities and villages. Streets, drains, sewerage lines, graveyards, parks, empty plots, ponds, and areas with stagnant dirty water should be sprayed consistently. At the same time, the sanitation system must also be improved because spraying alone is not enough; eliminating filth is equally essential.
Unfortunately, most municipal institutions seem unable to fulfill their responsibilities. In many neighborhoods, cleaning is not carried out for weeks, drains remain blocked, and dirty water accumulates on roads. This situation directly contributes to the breeding of mosquitoes. If municipal authorities ensure daily cleanliness and maintain an effective sewerage system, a noticeable reduction in diseases can be achieved.Doctors say that the increasing number of dengue and malaria patients is placing an additional burden on the healthcare system. Government hospitals are becoming overcrowded, while poor people face severe difficulties due to expensive medical treatment. Timely preventive measures could not only save human lives but also reduce the government’s healthcare expenditures.There is a strong need for the concerned institutions to adopt a joint strategy instead of shifting responsibility onto one another. The Health Department, Local Government Department, District Administration, and the VBD Program must work together on an emergency basis. Awareness campaigns should be conducted in schools, colleges, mosques, and public places so that people pay special attention to cleanliness around them and avoid leaving water uncovered inside their homes.
Experts suggest that if spray teams are formed at the Union Council level and provided with modern machinery, the situation could improve significantly. In addition, a helpline and monitoring system should be established for the quick resolution of public complaints so that immediate action can be taken whenever reports of unhygienic conditions or excessive mosquitoes are received.Public and social circles have urged the government not to limit mosquito spray campaigns to photo sessions only, but to ensure that practical results reach the people. If timely measures are not taken, the situation regarding dengue and malaria may become even more serious in the coming days. Protecting human lives is the foremost responsibility of the government and relevant institutions; therefore, immediate, effective, and permanent measures have now become unavoidable.
