DCO’s to contribute for making Punjab Polio free:Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema

Lahore: Chief Secretary Punjab Naveed Akram Cheema has directed all District Coordination Officers that elimination of dengue and polio should be made target after the conclusion of Ramazan bazaars. He said that steps against dengue and polio should be ensured with the same spirit and dedication as they have provided relief to the people through Ramazan bazaars. The Chief Secretary said that elimination of polio is priority of the government for which coordinated efforts are needed.

He said this while addressing DCOs conference at Civil Secretariat today. Advisor on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Secretary Health Dr. Ijaz Munir, secretaries of concerned departments, representatives of WHO, UNICEF, Melinda Gates Foundation and DG PDMA attended the meeting. Naveed Akram Cheema said that elimination of polio is a national and international issue and it is a matter of concern that polio exists in only three countries of the world including Pakistan. He directed that no negligence should be shown in eliminating dengue and polio. He said that dengue can be controlled by fully implementing SOPs.

The Chief Secretary expressing his reservation about the figures of dengue surveillance directed that all DCOs should personally verify the data. He said that special steps should be taken for eradication of dengue virus during monsoon season and full attention should be paid to the sensitive districts.

 The Chief Secretary said that although there is no polio case in Punjab due to the efforts of health and other departments yet it is a matter of concern that 99 cases of polio have been reported from other parts of the country and environmental sample of Lahore is also positive. He directed DCOs to hold meetings regularly for reviewing the anti-polio campaign. He said that special attention should be paid to administering polio drops to the children of IDPs coming to Punjab and all entry points of the province and enhance their efforts. Naveed Akram directed DCOs of the districts having poor polio and EPI coverage to improve their performance and strictly monitor vaccination teams. He also directed to launch vigorous campaign against dengue.

The Chief Secretary directed to take precautionary measures for coping with the possible flood in the province. DG PDMA gave a briefing about the steps taken for controlling flood. He told that Bhakkar, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Jhang, Hafizabad and Narowal are sensitive districts with regard to flood. He told that besides flood warning centers, command, control, communication centers and district control rooms have also been set up. Moreover, boats, rubber boats, fiber glass boats, de-watering pumps and other arrangements have also been completed. DG PDMA told that there is no forecast of flood.

The Chief Secretary directed DCOs of sensitive districts to complete arrangements for timely evacuation of the people, providing them medical treatment and ration and other rescue arrangements in case of flood.