Curbing Dengue Through Community Outreach in Peshawar

Dengue fever is a major health threat in many parts of Pakistan, and prompt detection and community awareness are crucial in preventing outbreaks. In Ijazabad, Peshawar, a dengue case was reported, and MERF’s Community Outreach Workers quickly traced the affected individual, a 15-year-old girl named Nabeeha, who had been experiencing fever and rashes.

Upon learning about the case, MERF’s team took immediate action, identifying additional cases and conducting awareness sessions in the community. They taught residents how to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and recognize the symptoms of dengue. Thanks to their timely efforts, Nabeeha and other individuals were treated, and no new dengue cases were reported in the area.

The MERF team was praised by local elders and influencers for their quick response and valuable community outreach efforts, highlighting the impact of preventative health measures.

In district Peshawar, MERF manages 15 civil dispensaries in super high-risk union councils (SHRUCs) with funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The services being provided at the dispensaries include free OPD consultations, medicine provision, MNCH and Routine EPI immunization. Additionally, MERF is actively involved in behavior change communication initiatives lead by community outreach workers aimed at reducingthe incidence of dengue through community awareness campaigns, vector control measures, clinical support and conducting regular fumigation drives in affected areas.