Anti-dengue campaign should continue during Yaum-e-Ashur holidays

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that anti-dengue campaign should continue during Yaum-e-Ashur holidays as well and efforts should be made for eradication of this scourge with a spirit of commitment and public service during this period. He said that elected representatives and government officers should review anti-dengue campaign and security arrangements for Yaum-e-Ashur and play an active role for maintenance of a peaceful atmosphere.

He was presiding over a meeting to review anti-dengue arrangements at Commissioner Office Rawalpindi through video conference from Lahore and later presiding over a meeting, here today. Provincial Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Members National and Provincial Assembly, ticket holders of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Commissioner Rawalpindi, DCO Rawalpindi, concerned officials and the experts were present in the meeting at Commissioner Office Rawalpindi, while Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah Khan, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Kh. Salman Rafique, Members National and Provincial Assembly, Chief Secretary, Provincial Secretaries, senior officers and medical experts participated in the meeting at Lahore. Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that due to timely measures taken by the government, dengue situation is improving however there is no room for negligence or laxity in the efforts against dengue.  He said that there is a need for implementing anti-dengue regulations in letter and spirit besides taking stern action under the law against those not following these regulations. He directed that anti-dengue spray and fogging be continued and the instructions regarding free medical facilities to the under treatment dengue patients in private hospitals be fully implemented. He said that the senior professors should remain present at government hospitals for the look after of dengue patients during the night as well. He directed that special attention be paid to de-silting of Nullah Lai and containers be placed around the drain for collection of garbage. He said that solid waste be immediately removed from open spaces. He said that strict legal action be taken without any discrimination against the quacks playing with the lives of citizens and an institutional mechanism be evolved for this purpose. He said that instructions have been issued for immediate recruitment of necessary staff for continuing the campaign against dengue in an effective manner. Maximum resources have been provided for the campaign against dengue therefore assembly members and government officers should work hard for success of anti-dengue campaign, he added. The Chief Minister directed that reorganization of Institute of Public Health be completed as early as possible and work should be started for the capacity-building of the staff of the institution without any delay. He said that eradication of dengue is the challenge and all segments of the society should support the government in rooting out this menace.

The Chief Minister stressed upon Assembly Members and government officers to perform their responsibilities regarding anti-dengue and polio campaign as well as maintenance of a peaceful atmosphere on Yaum-e-Ashur efficiently. He said that excellent arrangements be made for cleanliness on the routes of mourning processions while peace committees should play an active role. Provincial Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Kh. Salman Rafique, Commissioner Lahore Division, DCO Rawalpindi, Special Secretary Health and concerned officials gave a briefing regarding anti-dengue arrangements. He was informed that 1368 cases have been registered, 194 buildings have been sealed while 872 persons have been arrested for not implementing anti-dengue regulations.