LAHORE A considerable increase in casualties of Dengue Shock Syndrome patients has been observed, primarily because of unavailability of important lifesaving drug Dextran 40 injection in the market and lack of knowledge among physicians about the medicine as well as the disease, TheNation has learnt. Though the govt has realised its responsibility and decided to import this lifesaving drug on emergent basis, the late response has resulted into manifold increase in the deaths of dengue fever patients. According to the insiders, deaths of Secretary Mines and Mineral Development Corporation Attaullah Siddiqui at Doctors Hospital and ex-member Punjab Public Service Commission Ghiasuddin at Shaikh Zayed Hospital set alarm bells ringing in the power corridors and detailed deliberation of experts traced the real cause of fatalities. These two bureaucrats and dozens of others fell victim to Dengue Shock Syndrome, alarmingly low blood pressure condition that can result in death if patients, were not given Dextran 40 injection timely. Unfortunately, the said lifesaving drug was available, though in less quantity, at Jinnah Hospital but lack of proper understanding on the part of attending medical staff about the importance and use of the said medicine deprived a number of families of their loved ones. Yes this medicine is not registered and as such is not available in the market. With the financial help of philanthropists, Dr Shehla Akram brought the said lifesaving drug (3,000 injections) from India last Saturday (September 17). After that, this medicine (costing 6 dollars for one injection) is available at Jinnah Hospital. People can get this medicine for Dengue Shock Syndrome patients for free, said Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Dr Javed Akram, adding, Dr Shehla Akram was again leaving for India on Monday (today) for bringing another 5,000 injections. Our friend in India, Dr Karan is collecting the said drug from different stores for the last 3-4 days. He has so far collected 5,000 injections for us and now Dr Shehla is going to India for bringing the much needed medicine, he said, adding, there was also need for training physicians on how and when to use Dextran 40 for Dengue Shock Syndrome patients.