Anti-dengue activities would be accelerated at town level: Kh Salman

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has directed that like private property, action should also be taken against the public parks and government buildings under dengue regulations in case dengue larva is detected.

He said this while presiding over a meeting of Deputy District Officers of Health and  Towns Entomologists of Lahore to review the dengue situation and Eid holidays action plan, here today.

Besides Director General Health Punjab Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Dean Institute of  Public Health Dr. Muaz Ahmed, Additional Director General Epidemic, Response and Control Dr. Islam Zafar, EDO Health Lahore Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Director Dengue Programme Coordinator Dr. Farrukh and the officers of Punjab Information Technology Board and DDOs Health of all the towns attended the meeting.

All the towns officers briefed the meeting regarding the dengue situation at town level, availability of medicines, machinery and staff. They also apprised the meeting regarding outdoor and indoor dengue surveillance activities and Eid holidays activities plan.

Kh. Salman Rafique directed that due to monsoon the chances of dengue breeding have also increased, therefore, all the officers along with their teams should also enhance their dengue surveillance activities.

The meeting was informed that dengue larva has been reported from few places. It has been observed that indoor larva is being detected from room coolers whereas in outdoor the larva has been reported from parks and in open places.

Kh. Salman Rafique directed that during indoor surveillance the residents should be advised to drain out the water from room coolers in monsoon season in order to remove hot spots of dengue breeding.

Kh. Salman Rafique directed DG Health to accelerate awareness campaign through print and electronic media regarding dengue. He said that dengue has become a social problem, therefore, government institutions, community and media should join hands for consolidating efforts to overcome this problem.

Kh. Salman Rafique assured that shortage of staff and transport would be met after Eid holidays to accelerate the anti-dengue activities at town level.