Departments to accelerate dengue surveillance activities: Kh Salman

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has directed all concerned departments to accelerate dengue surveillance activities for eradicating dengue larvae. He said that strict monitoring of surveillance teams should be ensured in those union councils from where dengue larva is not being reported.

He was presiding over a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Dengue Control, here today.

Member National Assembly Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Member Punjab Assembly Pir Ashraf Rasool, Ch. Akram, Begum Lubna, Faisal Nawaz Chauhan, Secretary Health, Dr. Ijaz Munir, Director General Health Punjab Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Secretaries of concerned departments, Additional Secretaries, District Coordination Officers of Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad, Incharge Chief Minister’s Dengue Research Cell, Prof. Wasim Akram, Dean IPH, Prof. Muaz Ahmed, Director General PITB, Rescue-1122, DIG Special Branch, EDOs Health of various cities as well as other senior officers were present.

The meeting was given a briefing on the measures taken by various departments for checking the breeding of dengue larva. Secretary Health Dr. Ijaz Munir informed that 11 confirmed cases of dengue have been reported in Punjab during the last eight months and all patients have recovered. Dr. Ijaz Munir informed about indoor and outdoor dengue surveillance activities by the Health Department. Senior officers of different departments informed the meeting about the search for dengue larva in graveyards, junkyards, tyre shops, construction sites, mosques and other places and its eradication.

The meeting was informed that during surveillance, dengue larva has been found mostly in room coolers. Prof. Wasim Akram told that use of room coolers has stopped after the change in weather, therefore, people should drain out water from water coolers so that breeding of dengue larva could be checked. Dr. Somia Iqtidar of Dengue Expert Advisor Group informed that private hospitals are taking much interest in dengue courses and a few doctors of private hospitals are taking part in case management training. Kh. Salman Rafique directed that action should be taken under the law against the private hospitals not participating in training courses. DIG Special Branch presented a report regarding performance of various departments and institutions and also pointed out shortcomings.