ABSTRACT
Disease Early Warning System [DEWS] is a programme by which health workers can detect signs of an epidemic at an early stage in order to prevent its occurrence or expansion. It is a cost effective and sustainable programme especially in the developing countries like Pakistan, where infectious diseases cause a significant magnitude of morbidity, and mortality in the country. The objective of this study was to assess the practice of DEWS in district Bagh of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and suggest ways and means to improve its practice in future. It was a cross sectional descriptive study and was conducted in thirteen First Level Care Facilities [FLCFs] of the district where DEWS was in operation. Questionnaires were designed to collect information about present scenario of practice of the system and a checklist was also prepared for physical verification. The study revealed that most of the health personnel dealing with DEWS were not trained properly and many facilities were not having even essential "case definition" documents. Some of the health facilities were deficient in recording and reporting materials. 90% of laboratories of health centres/hospitals/clinics were not having even containers for getting samples and transport media to carry to referral laboratories. Some FLCFs were not having laboratory facility at all. 95% personnel involved in DEWS were not satisfied by the present ways of monitoring by the supervisors. For better functioning of DEWS, following measures are suggested: [a] Proper training of the health personnel about DEWS should be carried out. [b] Provision of DEWS tools to each facility should be ensured. [c] Regular, effective and efficient monitoring of all facilities should be done