Fighting dengue: Collective efforts needed to curb dengue, says Salman Rafiq

Action to be taken against junkyards, construction sites if dengue larvae detected

LAHORE:

The government and the people need to make coordinated efforts to eliminate dengue fever, Adviser to CM on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq said on Sunday.

He was talking to reporters after monitoring a cleanliness drive at the Directorate General of Health Services. During the inspection of the building’s roof, Rafiq noticed discarded articles and directed the administration to dispose of them.

“Rainwater tends to accumulate amid discarded articles left on roofs. They can then become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The ongoing cleanliness drive should be continued in all government and commercial buildings for effective dengue control,” he said.

Rafiq said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had earlier directed all government departments to observe a cleanliness day to check breeding of dengue-carrier mosquitoes.

“The continuous rains and accompanying low temperatures have increased the chances of mosquito breeding. Therefore, government departments and people should remain vigilant and continue their cleanliness activities in their offices and residences,” he said.

He said that FIRs would be registered against owners of commercial buildings, junkyards, construction sites and tyre shops where dengue larvae were found. “District government officers have been directed to place stickers on the doors of the houses where dengue larvae are detected in order to create moral pressure on the residents. The standard operating procedures (SoPs) for dengue control are similarly applicable to government buildings. Action has been taken against government officials on the violation of dengue regulations,” he said.

Rafiq also visited Mayo Hospital and reviewed the cleanliness campaign at the hospital. Health Services Director General Dr Zahid Pervaiz and Medical Superintendent Amjad Shehzad accompanied him. Rafiq said that rainwater should be immediately drained from the hospital premises.

PU

Various activities were organised at the Punjab University (PU), the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) and the Directorate of Staff Development (DSD) on Sunday to raise awareness about dengue fever prevention.



At PU, acting Vice Chancellor Taqi Zahid Butt and Registrar Liaqat Ali visited several departments and monitored the anti-dengue activities. Fumigation was carried out at some locations. All PEF offices in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi remained open on Sunday. Dengue awareness pamphlets were distributed among the staff.

PEF chairman Qamarul Islam Raja said that the foundation had directed its partner schools to abide by the government’s instructions in this regard and motivate their students and teachers to help eradicate the deadly virus. An anti-dengue walk was held at the DSD. It was led by Programme Director Ahsan Bhutta. He inspected offices and hostels and said that the directorate would follow the instructions issued by the government.

TEVTA

Appropriate steps are being taken for the eradication of dengue menace at all TEVTA institutes, TEVTA chairperson Irfan Qaiser Shaikh said on Sunday. “A project has been designed to educate students and staff of all TEVTA institutes about the importance of dengue eradication,” he said.

Shaikh said that TEVTA management had directed its staff to follow government instructions on eradication of dengue. “All necessary steps are being taken for keeping the grounds, buildings and roofs of TEVTA institutes free of dengue larvae,” he said.

He said waste material had been removed from construction sites at TEVTA institutes. “Grassy lawns and flower beds are being carefully maintained. Water tanks, barrels and buckets have been cleaned. Garbage and debris and broken flower pots have been removed. Cleanliness of washrooms, toilets, sewerage system has been ensured on the premises of institutes,” he said.

He said that all TEVTA institutes’ heads had been directed to follow dengue control measures.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2015.