Anti dengue campaign starts motion in the city

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Kh. Salman Rafique and Additional Chief Secretary Aamir Sohail presided over a high level meeting to review arrangements regarding eradication of dengue on Thursday at Civil Secretariat here today. Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik, Commissioner Lahore Rashid Mahmood Langrial besides secretaries of all concerned departments, additional secretaries, Director General Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Dean Institute of Public Health and other officers attended the meeting.  The meeting reviewed in detail the arrangements made by different departments for controlling dengue.

The meeting decided to hold meeting of Cabinet Committee on Eradication of Dengue daily at 8.30 a.m at Civil Secretariat Committee Room in view of the increasing breeding of dengue due to recent rains. Kh. Salman Rafique will preside over the meeting and the members of government departments of Cabinet Committee will attend the meeting. The meeting will review performance of concerned departments and take decisions in the light of present situation.

The meeting decided that data of dengue patients would be collected regularly from private hospitals and laboratories. In addition, a vigorous awareness campaign will be launched. The meeting also discussed drainage of rainwater, disposal of waste by WASA, PHA, Solid Waste Management and other matters.

Kh. Salman Rafique directed to launch public awareness campaign through print and electronic media, holding maximum seminars and displaying billboards. He said that a comprehensive report of all activities and meetings is being sent to Chief Minister Punjab daily.

Meanwhile presiding over a meeting of medical superintendents of all government teaching and non-teaching hospitals of Lahore here today Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has directed that the arrangements for the diagnostic and treatment of dengue patients should be finalized in all government hospitals so that dengue patients should not face any difficulty.  He said that only those doctors and nurses be deputed in dengue wards as have received training in case management of dengue patients.Secretary Health Jawad Rafiqu Malik, Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University and Convener Dengue Expert Advisory Group Prof. Faisal Masood, Medical Superintends of government hospitals, dean children Hospital Prof. Masood Sadiq, Dean IPH Prof. Muaz Ahmed, Chief Bacteriologist Punjab Prof. Dr. Zarfishan Tahir, Epidemiologist Prof. Farkhanda Kokab and DG PITB Amir Malik were also present on the occasion. Prof. Faisal Masood directed hospitals administration that blood test of probable dengue patients suffering from high fever must be collected and such patients should not be discharged without consultation with senior doctors. Kh. Salman Rafique further directed that data of dengue patients should also be collected from private laboratories. He said that case history of dengue patients coming to hospital should also be recorded. He directed that hospital laboratory should be kept open during evening and MSs and DMSs should visit their respective hospitals in the morning as well as evening to ensure proper arrangements.

Secretary Health Jawad Rafique directed that complaints regarding cleanliness should be redressed immediately and potential sites of dengue be eliminated immediately. Jawad Rafique said that he will personally pay visit to review the situation and in case of poor performance, concerned MS and administration will be held responsible.