Environment Protection Department to launch grand operation

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Health Khalil Tahir Sindhu has directed the Environment Protection Department to launch grand operation against the factories in the suburb areas of Lahore which are involved in illegal recycling of hospital waste. He said that these factories are spreading deadly diseases among the people and such elements who are involved in this heinous crime deserve no any leniency.

He said this while presiding over a meeting of cabinet committee to review the steps taken by various departments for the control of measles and dengue in the province. Besides Secretary Health Hassan Iqbal, secretaries and senior officers of the concerned departments, Vice Chancellor of King Edward Medical University,  Commissioner and DCO Lahore, elected representatives from Lahore and other cities and Kh. Salaman Rafique attended the meeting. The secretaries and seniors officers of Forests and Fisheries Departments, Environment, Cooperatives, School Education, Higher Education, PITB, Local Govt., Labour Department, Food, Irrigation, P&D, Information & Culture, Commissioner Lahore, MD WASA, DG Rescue-1122 and the officers of police department apprised the meeting of the steps taken by their departments for the control of dengue and making anti-measles campaign a success.

While expressing their views, the elected representatives said that MPAs and MNAs should also be taken on board during campaigns against diseases and participation of public representatives should also be ensured in the committees alongwith government officials so that they could also serve the masses. The meeting decided that sub-committees of cabinet committee will be constituted in all districts and local public representatives would head those committees. The next meeting of cabinet committee will be held in Faisalabad.

Secretary Health informed that due to solid steps taken by the Health Department and vigorous campaign against measles, the graph of the disease is showing a downward trend as compared to previous month fewer cases are being reported. He disclosed that anti-measles campaign in 12 districts would be concluded on July 4 whereas the drive in other six districts which were included in the campaign on 28^th June, will be completed on July 7. He further disclosed that in the third phase an anti-measles campaign will be launched in five other districts from July 8. Secretary Health informed the meeting that all diagnostic and treatment faclities for dengue patients are available in government hospitals besides Isolation wards and HDUs have also been established. Chief Entomologist Prof. Dr. Waseem Akram informed the meeting that as the monsoon season has commenced, breeding of dengue mosquito has started. Minister Health directed all departments that they should work with more dedication, commitment and make coordinated efforts for the control of dengue.

VC KEMU Prof. Dr. Faisal Masood said that research on dengue mosquito and larva is vital for the control of dengue virus and proper treatment of patients. Khalil Tahir Sindhu directed that public representatives should also be inducted in the health committees so that health message could reach to the masses through their representatives. He directed all the departments to remain high alert in the present situation.