Now its Sethi turn to fight against dengue

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi has said that the provincial government has made all possible arrangements to curb possible outbreak of dengue virus. He said a well-coordinated strategy has been adopted by concerned institutions to meet any situation arising out of dengue virus. He said dengue mosquito can only be eliminated by involving all segments of the society, in the anti-dengue campaign, therefore every person must vigorously play his part. He said participation of the people at the lowest level is essential to curb dengue. He directed that anti-dengue action plan should be completely implemented, while all possible steps should be taken for eradication of dengue virus.

Chief Minister was presiding over a high-level meeting for reviewing anti-dengue arrangements at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, here today. Provincial Minister for Health Saleema Hashmi, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Health, Secretary Information, DGPR and other concerned authorities were present on the occasion. Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Punjab Najam Sethi said that it is essential to apprise citizens of the importance of adopting preventive measures to eliminate dengue mosquito, along with ensuring sanitation in their surroundings for which launching of a robust awareness campaign is essential. He directed that anti-dengue seminars should be conducted in all big cities of Punjab, including Lahore, while awareness literature, based on information about preventive measures against dengue, should be made available to the citizens. He said the people should be urged to change their social habits in order to ensure complete elimination of dengue menace. He said Ulema can also play an effective role through their speeches and sermons on highlighting the importance of cleanliness and sanitation, for which cooperation of leading Ulema should be sought. He directed Provincial Ministers to personally monitor anti-dengue arrangements, by adopting an effective system of checking. He ordered that secretaries of various departments should monitor nine towns of Lahore to review anti-dengue arrangements, along with monitoring anti-dengue campaigns in Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi. Chief Minister stressed the need for launching a strong awareness campaign against dengue menace to create consciousness in the general public to adopt preventive measures.

A detailed briefing on arrangements made to combat dengue menace was given in the meeting. The meeting was informed that dengue virus situation is under complete control and, by the grace of Allah Almighty, no dengue case has surfaced, as a result of effective steps taken by the Punjab government.