Failing health

OVER the period of a decade, dengue has spread at an unprecedented scale in the country. The virus caseload rose by over 3,000pc from 2012 to 2022, according to new research from Aga Khan University. It indicates that the disease is a far greater public health concern than recognised earlier. Our national dengue burden surged from around 100,000 in 2012 to 3.28m in 2022. Sindh featured as a hotspot — 'an estimated 2.6m cases, mainly affecting adults aged 15-49 years'. Karachi East posted the highest score, underlining the inequity in targeted action. The lowest figure of about 6,785 cases came from Balochistan. These findings speak volumes about the rot in the health system, and expose the low count in official records. The level of underreporting, and apathy towards healthcare is shocking. While climate conditions inflate the dengue toll, the disease is now more than a seasonal hazard. Extended humidity and unpredictable weather patterns translate into a longer mosquito breeding season, and more potent strains. It results in debilitating infections that last for weeks. Irregular rainfall and broken drainage systems make vast hatcheries out of urban areas. Additionally, inconsistent fumigation drives, stagnant water, and the scarcity of testing kits worsen the crisis. Yet the government's lapses remain consistent: non-transparent data, lack of disease-related research, no awareness campaigns, and poor training. Crucially, the report mentions vaccines and Wolbachia mosquitoes — a method that uses natural bacteria to prevent disease transmission. The health apparatus must incorporate the latest practices to combat evolving pathogens. Robust surveillance, especially in high-risk zones, ecofriendly control steps and 'sustainable multimodal prevention strategies' are necessary. Spraying insecticides, often after public furore, and calls for hygiene will not work. The fact that each year sees the same virus return with foreseeable intensity, and create preventable pain, is beyond shameful. Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2026