No dengue patient has so far been reported in Lahore: DCO Capt Usman

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that there are more rains in Punjab as per routine and the water accumulated due to rains can become a cause of breeding of dengue mosquito therefore, concerned institutions should ensure disposal of water. He said that people should not to allow accumulate rainwater at the roofs of their houses and other places. All government departments should continue dengue surveillance and vector surveillance activities, he added. He said that anti-dengue day will be observed on Thursday July 30 in Punjab.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Dengue. Pir Ashraf Rasool MPA, Director General Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Additional Secretary Health Dr. Salman Shahid, Dean Institute of Public Health Prof. Moaz Ahmed, Additional Director General Health Dengue Control Dr. Syed Islam Zafar and officers of all concerned departments and institutions were present on the occasion.

Representative of Punjab Information Technology Board presented the report regarding activities of different departments being tagged on PITB dash board. He told that android phones have also been provided to officials of special branch for Sheikhupura and Rawalpindi and special branch has started monitoring in these districts.

The officers gave briefing to the meeting regarding activities of their departments and special branch pinpointed cleanliness problems, water accumulation at graveyards, junkyards, hospitals and other places in its report. Kh. Salman Rafique directed all the departments to immediately resolve the complaints in special branch and PITB report. He issued directions to Solid Waste Management and WASA for disposal of waste and drainage of accumulated water.

Kh. Salman Rafique appreciated officers and officials of the departments for continuing activities regarding eradication of dengue in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Sheikhupura during Eid days.

Dr. Islam Zafar told that only five confirmed patients of dengue have so far been reported during 2015, out of which, two patients each from Sheikhupura and Multan and one from Gujranwala had been reported and all the patients have recovered. He informed that dengue was confirmed in six persons coming to Punjab from Saudi Arabia and other places and in this way, the number of total patients was 11 who have recovered.

DCO Lahore Capt. (R) Muhammad Usman presented indoor and outdoor dengue surveillance report in Lahore on behalf of City District Government. He told that no dengue patient has so far been reported in Lahore.

Kh. Salman Rafique directed all departments to continue anti-dengue activities and announced to observe anti-dengue day on coming Thursday in the province.