Dengue threat is still there in Lahore: Kh Salman

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has said that the dengue epidemic in Rawalpindi and Sheikhupura has been controlled while the dengue patients in Lahore are pouring from specific union councils. He directed the concerned officers to adopt focused approach and concentrate on the high risk union councils instead of all towns for dengue surveillance and fogging/indoor spray activities for complete control on dengue in Lahore.

He stated this while presiding over a joint meeting of Dengue Expert Advisory Group (DEAG) and Dengue Technical Advisory Committee, at IPH here today.

Besides, Special Secretary Health Babar Hayat Tarar, DG Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Additional Secretary Health (Technical) Dr. Anwar Janjua, Dean Institute of Public Health (IPH) Prof. Dr. Muaaz Ahmed, Epidemiologist IPH Prof. Dr. Farkhanda Kokab, Prof. of Medicines SIMS  Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, Chief Entomologist Prof. Waseem Akram, Prof. of Paeds PGMI Prof. Agha Shabbir Hussain, Assistant Prof. KEMU Dr. Somia Iqtidar, EDO Health Lahore Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, DG PITB, and other senior  officers of Health Department attended the meeting. Prof. Farkhanda Kokab gave presentation on three-day cross sectional survey for third party performance evaluation of indoor dengue surveillance teams. The experts stressed the need to adopt a focused approach for anti-dengue activities including dengue surveillance fogging and indoor spray to eradicate the clusters of hot spots of dengue mosquitos in high risk union councils. They urged that instead of scattered activities more focus should be given on the high risk union councils and the resources as well as manpower should be shifted to such areas for complete eradication of dengue. On this occasion, EDO Health Lahore gave a briefing regarding the micro plan to implement the new strategy i.e. focused approach.

Kh. Salman Rafique directed that the micro-plan for anti-dengue activities in the high risk union councils should be strictly implemented to remove dengue hot spots. He directed that the senior officers of District government and Health Department should remain in field to monitor the implementation on micro-plan.

Member DEAG Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali informed the meeting that the training activities for the doctors of public as well as private hospitals regarding clinical management of dengue patients are continuing. He informed that a batch of 130 doctors have completed the training on the other day.