All resources are being utilized for protecting citizens against dengue:Secretary Health

Lahore: Secretary Health Punjab Arif Nadeem has said that all out resources are being utilized for protecting citizens against dengue and measles. However, there is a need for highlighting the importance of vaccination for saving innocent lives, he added.

He said that besides government efforts, social organizations, Ulema and media should play a vital role in this regard. He said that medical experts should also inform the people about preventive measures against these diseases. He expressed these views while addressing a seminar on protecting children against measles and other seasonal diseases.

Principal Postgraduate Medical Institute Prof. Anjum Habib Vohra, Prof. Agha Shabbir Ali, Prof. Rashid Mehmood, Medical Superintendent General Hospital Prof. Dr. Muhammad Amjad Shahzad, doctors, nurses and paramedics were present in a large number on this occasion. Secretary Health said that anti-measles campaign is continuing successfully and Health Department teams are paying door to door visits for vaccinating children. He said that special counters have also been established in government hospitals for this purpose.

Arif Nadeem further said that the holidays of vaccination teams have been cancelled for ensuring success of anti-measles campaign.

Addressing the seminar, Principal PGMI Prof. Anjum Habib Vohra said that in order to promote public awareness regarding the importance of vaccination, instructions have been issued to the doctors of all wards of LGH to inform the patients about preventive measures against these diseases. He said that measles is a different disease from dengue as it is not seasonal, therefore, parents should pay due attention to the inoculation of their children immediately after their birth. He proposed that admission of children in schools should be made conditional to the completion of vaccination course.

Addressing the seminar Prof. Agha Shabbir Ali and Prof. Rashid Mehmood informed about the symptoms of measles, its treatment and preventive measures and told that 337 children affected from measles were brought to the hospitals, out of which, 336 have returned to their home after recovery. He said that process of holding seminars and training workshops under Health Education Foundation Programme will continue.