Help Patients’ Aid at JPMC Fight Karachi’s Deadly Mosquito Illnesses

Dengue, Malaria, Chikungunya virus

When the cool air of winter begins to settle over Karachi, it brings relief to many, but for others, especially in underprivileged communities, it brings a different danger: a surge of mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria.  These are not distant worries,  in fact, Karachi’s Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), one of the city’s most vital public hospitals, sees a steady stream of patients during this season. 

Patients’ Aid Foundation plays a critical role here, helping to ensure accurate diagnostics, quality treatment, and free care for those who cannot afford medical bills. By joining hands with Patients’ Aid, your donation can directly support life-saving healthcare initiatives at JPMC.

Hidden Dangers at Winter Onset

Even as temperatures dip or weather starts to change, Karachi remains a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Dengue Challenges This Season

This year has already exposed just how fragile the situation is: as reported by Dawn in October 2025, there were 1,558 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne viral infection in Sindh province. The worst affected areas were Hyderabad, which saw 800 cases, and Karachi, which reported 758. Laboratories conducted a total of 5,742 tests, of which 4,010 yielded positive results. By the end of October, the cumulative case count had risen to 1,005 in Karachi and 938 in Hyderabad, with three deaths confirmed.

These are not just numbers, they represent real people, many from marginalized backgrounds, facing fever, pain, and the fear that their illness could overwhelm them. In some areas, health experts warn that the true scale of dengue is likely being undercounted because many patients do not have access to regular testing or cannot afford repeat visits.

Malaria Is Rising Too

While dengue is making headlines, malaria is quietly wreaking havoc across Sindh. According to ARY News and the Express Tribune, more than 215,000 malaria cases have been reported in 2025, a deeply concerning figure. For lower- and middle-income families, the cost of diagnostics, medication, and follow-up visits can be overwhelming. Delayed treatment often turns what could be a manageable illness into a serious, potentially life-threatening condition.

Malaria Is Rising Too

While dengue is making headlines, malaria is quietly wreaking havoc across Sindh. According to ARY News and the Express Tribune, more than 215,000 malaria cases have been reported in 2025, a deeply concerning figure. For lower- and middle-income families, the cost of diagnostics, medication, and follow-up visits can be overwhelming. Delayed treatment often turns what could be a manageable illness into a serious, potentially life-threatening condition.

How JPMC OPD Supports Unprivileged Communities of Pakistan

At Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the Outpatient Department (OPD) is a frontline in the fight against various medical conditions. Everyday around 12,000 patients at the JPMC OPD receive the medical assistance they need. 

This OPD is often the first point of care for patients who walk through JPMC’s doors, whether they come from Karachi’s dense neighborhoods, or from rural Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Here’s how it works:

Diagnosis: Doctors at the OPD order key tests like Complete Blood Count (CBC), malaria smears, and dengue NS1 or IgM tests.

Treatment for Mild Cases: Patients with non-severe malaria receive antimalarial medication and guidance. Those with mild dengue are managed with hydration therapy, fever control, and close monitoring of platelet counts.

Triage for Severe Cases: If a patient shows warning signs, for example, rapid drop in platelet count, bleeding, or dehydration, the OPD quickly coordinates their transfer into hospital wards or emergency units.  

This efficient system allows JPMC to manage large volumes of patients, especially during post-monsoon surges, without letting critical cases slip through the cracks.

Patients’ Aid Foundation Shaping Improved Healthcare at JPMC

Patients’ Aid Foundation is more than a philanthropic NGO; it’s a catalyst for change. Their support has significantly strengthened JPMC’s capacity to respond to vector-borne disease outbreaks. Here are a few ways they have made a difference:

• Expanded Laboratory Services: With support from Patients’ Aid, JPMC’s labs can run more CBC, dengue, and malaria tests at affordable or no cost, ensuring early diagnosis.
• Strengthened Blood Bank: Dengue patients with dangerously low platelets sometimes need transfusions. Patients’ Aid helps ensure that the blood bank at JPMC is well-staffed and stocked.
• Upgraded OPD Facilities: The OPD has been renovated so that all patients, regardless of background, receive respectful, efficient, and timely care.
• Affordable Treatment: Many lifesaving medicines and tests are now free or heavily subsidized, thanks to Patients’ Aid, making quality treatment accessible to people who otherwise might skip it due to cost.

By doing this, Patients’ Aid with the help of generous donors ensures that when dengue or malaria cases surge, JPMC is not just reacting, it is prepared. 

Why Your Donation to Patients’ Aid Matters

In a country where public healthcare resources are often stretched thin, your contribution to Patients’ Aid Foundation can be a real game changer. Here’s why you should consider donating:

It promotes health equity. With your help, Patients’ Aid can make sure that even the sensitive people in Karachi or interior Sindh or Punjab have a better chance at surviving dangerous diseases.

With Patients’ Aid, You Can Change a Life Today

Ready to make a meaningful impact? Follow the steps:

1. Visit the Patients’ Aid Foundation website and explore their initiatives and “Donate” page.
2. Share this blog with your friends and family to raise awareness about the dengue & malaria risks, and how your donation can help protect lives. Sharing is just as powerful as giving.
3. Set up a recurring donation if you can, monthly or quarterly support helps Patients’ Aid plan and scale more effectively.

When you donate to the Patients’ Aid Foundation, you’re helping JPMC be stronger when diseases strike. You’re sending a message that in Pakistan, no one should have to choose between their life and their ability to pay.

This season, join Patients’ Aid in supporting the thousands who visit JPMC, giving them hope, health, and dignity as we fight dengue and malaria together.

Donate now and become a part of Pakistan’s healthcare revolution.

Your generosity can help us continue to deliver the best medical care in Karachi and support countless lives across the country. Whether you are in Pakistan or abroad, your small contribution can have a life-changing impact.

Together, we can eliminate malaria, promote public health, and bring hope to those who have none.