Deadly disease: ‘Society equally responsible for resolving health issues’

Health minister says all departments should be ready to combat dengue

LAHORE: The time has come for people to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness and removing dengue hotspots from their houses without waiting for the government to take action in this regard. Social mobilisation has been ongoing for many years and society is equally responsible for resolving health issues such as dengue.

This was stated by Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education (SHME) Khwaja Salman Rafique as he presided over a cabinet committee meeting on dengue at the Civil Secretariat on Friday.  Primary and Secondary Health Minister (PSH) Khwaja Imran Nazir, Secretary Ali Khan Jan, Punjab Assembly Members Majid Zahoor, Peer Ashraf Rasool, Lubna Faisal, Special Health Secretary Dr Faisal Zahoor and other officials attended the meeting.

The minister directed all the departments concerned to be ready for combating dengue in the coming season and said all measures should be taken in advance. He instructed the officials to submit a certificate regarding the availability/functioning of fogging machines, spray pumps and other essential articles used for dengue control.

Rafique directed the departments and district administration to complete preparations for dengue surveillance and control.

He said that capacity building and refresher training course for doctors, nurses, dengue workers and other staff should be completed on a priority basis.

He ordered that a meeting of a technical committee should immediately be called and the body should present its recommendations within a week for the upcoming season.

The minister said that clinical protocols for dengue patients in teaching hospitals should also be reviewed to improve treatment facilities for patients.

Rafique also issued instructions to public health experts to prepare a data analysis report on suspected and confirmed dengue patients as well as dengue larva.

On the occasion, Dengue Control Programme Additional Director General Dr Shahnaz briefed the meeting regarding the present situation and preparations to control dengue in the coming season.

She brought the meeting up to speed on the new strategy to overcome dengue in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2018.