Shahbaz Sharif is furious over increasing cases of dengue

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Punjab faced worst dengue virus in the history of Pakistan in 2011. He said that due to round the clock efforts of elected representatives, people, concerned departments and all segments of the society, the virus was controlled and that was why, the disease remained under control last year. He said that despite existing of protocol and government instructions, reports regarding dengue cases from some cities of the province are a matter of concern.

The Chief Minister stressed the need of working with same spirit and hard work for anti-dengue which had been displayed in 2011. He directed that an effective strategy should be implemented for eradication of dengue and educational institutions, NGOs, traders’ organizations and community should be included in anti-dengue drive. He said that awareness should also be created among the masses about the treatment and preventive measures against dengue.

Shahbaz Sharif directed that a grand operation should be launched for cleanliness and removing solid waste for eradicating and controlling dengue in Rawalpindi. He said that spray and fogging should also be carried out in those areas from where dengue affected or suspected patients brought in hospitals.

The Chief Minister expressed these views while addressing a high level meeting regarding eradication of dengue held at Commissioner’s office Rawalpindi through video link from Berlin (Germany) today. Provincial Health Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Provincial Labour Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, members National and Provincial Assembly, Muslim League leaders, besides Secretary Health Punjab, Commissioner Rawalpindi, Chairman CDA, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, DCO Rawalpindi, Principal Rawalpindi Medical College, Prof. Dr. Waseem Akram, Dr. Faisal Masood, Medical Superintendents of four teaching hospitals, officials of Health and other concerned departments also attended the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed his concern over the reports regarding increasing number of dengue patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad areas and directed Assembly members and party ticket holders to monitor anti-dengue campaign. He said that despite existing of protocol and clear cut government instructions, there should have been no increase in dengue patients in twin cities. He warned that no laxity or negligence will be tolerated during anti-dengue drive.

The Chief Minister directed that the efforts and the anti-dengue campaign should be continued till the decrease in weather temperature. He asked assembly members, party ticket holders, party office-bearers and workers to participate in anti-dengue campaign by considering it a worship and visit mohallahs and streets for elimination of dengue. He said that party ticket holders, divisional and district administration and officers of concerned departments should hold meetings daily at Commissioner’s Office and fix anti-dengue targets and report be submitted to him on daily basis.  He said that if any negligence was displayed at any level, strict notice will be taken.

Provincial Health Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu while giving briefing to the Chief Minister on the occasion, told that  after Eid ul Azha, the number of dengue patients had increased to some extent in the province as a whole particularly in Rawalpindi but now it is decreasing. He said that on his instructions, a grand operation has been launched by carrying out spray, fogging and other measures through a special campaign of cleanliness and removing solid waste management for protection from dengue in Rawalpindi the other day.

Provincial Labour Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar informed the Chief Minister that besides special focus at 15 union councils of Rawal Town, full attention is also being paid to all areas of Rawalpindi. He said that assembly members, party ticket holders, administration and officers of concerned departments are in touch with each other and steps are being implemented speedily for controlling dengue.

The Chief Minister directed Assembly members that any slackness in the efforts of the departments should be brought to the notice of senior officials. Secretary Health Punjab Hassan Iqbal, Chairman CDA, Commissioner Rawalpindi, DCO Rawalpindi and Station Commander Rawalpindi Cantt gave briefings in the meeting about the measures being taken for controlling dengue. They told that the work of cleanliness and removing constructional material and garbage from the localities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad around IJP road, nullah Lai and other rainy nullahs. They stressed upon the people to adopt preventive measures of saving from dengue. They said that a strategy has been evolved for conveying the message of protection from dengue to the people through schools, colleges, universities, NGOs, traders’ organizations and political workers.