Owners of the buildings to be arrested for finding dengue larva

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that cooperation of the masses is utmost essential for the eradication of dengue. He said that dengue can be defeated through collective efforts of elected representatives, concerned departments and all segment of the society.

The Chief Minister while directing to amend the law for declaring violation of anti-dengue regulation as non-bailable crime said that anti-dengue regulation should be implemented strictly. He said that in case of detection of dengue larva, the building should be sealed and the concerned owner be arrested. He said that those showing best performance during anti-dengue campaign are our pride and they would be fully encouraged.

He was presiding over a high level meeting to review the measures taken for eradication of dengue here today. Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah Khan, Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Vice Chairman LDA Kh. Ahmad Hassaan, Members National and Provincial Assemblies, secretaries of concerned departments, heads of development institutions and experts attended the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that dengue situation has improved considerably due to timely steps by the government and joint efforts of elected representatives, government departments and the people. He said that though some negligence has been shown with regard to implementation on prescribed system for anti-dengue this year, however, it has been reformed and anti-dengue campaign has been continued in a coordinated manner due to which the number of dengue patients is decreasing.

The Chief Minister appealed to the general practitioners of the province to refer the dengue patients to government hospitals as best treatment facilities are available for dengue patients in these hospitals. He said that trained doctors, nurses and paramedical staff are also available in government hospitals therefore, if dengue patients are under treatment with general practitioners, they should immediately refer to government hospitals.

The Chief Minister directed that the data of dengue patients under treatment with general practitioners should be compiled in this regard. Shahbaz Sharif asked the elected representatives, secretaries and concerned departments to continue steps for the eradication of dengue with the cooperation of the people and monitor the arrangements for checking dengue by visiting field. He said that no service can be more important than serving the humanity. He asked elected representatives and government officers to make service to the people their mission.

Shahbaz Sharif said that like dengue, campaign for elimination of polio is also of great importance therefore, elected representatives should play their due role in this campaign as saving the children from polio is the responsibility of us all. The Chief Minister directed that volunteer force should also be activated in other towns on the pattern of Shalamar Town. He said that the process of spray and fogging should be continued in houses, government departments, buildings, bus stands, railway stations, imambarghs and other public places.

He said that assembly members are public representatives, therefore, heavy responsibility lies on them that they should take personal interest in the process of fogging in the houses. Shahbaz Sharif while directing the concerned authorities to purchase maximum android phones said that they should keep an eye on the performance of the staff in the field through this phone. He said that a comprehensive planning should be made for disposed of waste of hospitals. He said that the cleanliness situation should be improved in open places and vegetable markets and all necessary steps be taken for the eradication of dengue.

The Chief Minister directed Commissioner Lahore Division and Lahore Solid Waste Management Company to keep a close liaison with railways authorities for improving the cleanliness system in railways colony Mughalpura and Punjab government should extend all possible cooperation in this regard. Secretaries of concerned departments and Commissioner Lahore Division gave briefings about the steps taken for the eradication of dengue whereas Secretary Health gave briefing about the treatment facilities being provided to the dengue patients in the hospitals.