Recent rains breeding dengue larvae : cabinet committee on elimination of dengue

Lahore: Advisor Health Punjab Khawaja Salman Rafiq has said that due to recent rains, breeding of larvae in dengue breeding spots will increase and large scale efforts are needed for its elimination.

He stated this while presiding over a special meeting of cabinet committee on elimination of dengue at Commissioner Office Rawalpindi. Provincial Secretary Primary & Secondary Health Ali Jan Khan, In-charge Chief Minister’ Dengue Research Cell Ali Jan, Dr. Waseem Akram, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Azmat Mehmood, DCO Rawalpindi Sajid Zafar Dal and senior officers of provincial departments besides administrative heads of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Sheikhurpura, Divisional and district heads of government departments participated in the meeting through video link.

The meeting reviewed in detail dengue situation in the province especially Rawalpindi, performance of government departments and institutions, future planning, training of staff, monitoring, appointment against vacant posts, public awareness campaign, indoor and outdoor surveillance and sanitary patrol and performance of dengue workers.

Kh. Salman Rafiq said that before the start of dengue season, all government departments and institutions have been activated according to prescribed SoPs in Punjab and capacity building of government departments has been increased by fulfilling all their needs. He said that dengue larva is being recovered in many other areas including Rawalpindi and work should be continued efficiently for its eradication and ensuring public participation in this process.

During the meeting, he inquired about the details of ongoing activities for search of larva in graveyards, junkyards, bus stands, parks, under-construction buildings, overhead and underground water tanks and reservoirs of water accumulating at open places and awareness among people for protection against dengue.

Kh Salman Rafiq said that negligence against dengue can become a threat to human lives, therefore, all departments should take active part in dengue control activities with the spirit of human service and national enthusiasm for achieving desired results. He said that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and under his patronage, all out resources are being provided for elimination of dengue. He said that along with human resources, provision of medicines, chemicals and equipments have also been ensured.

DCO Rawalpindi Sajid Zafar Dal presented comparative analysis of dengue during current and a previous year and told that training courses have been conducted for control of dengue and special plan has been evolved for public awareness. Progress regarding performance of other departments was also discussed.