CS orders effective anti-dengue measures

Activities to be expedited across the province due to uncertain weather conditions

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Secretary (CS) Yousaf Naseem Khokhar has ordered that dengue-related monitoring, surveillance and reporting be improved in the region. He also directed authorities to begin larva-removing exercises in vulnerable areas.

The CS presided over a meeting via a video link at the Civil Secretariat on Monday. He said anti-dengue activities must be expedited throughout Punjab due to the uncertain weather conditions.

He mentioned that concerted efforts were needed to eradicate dengue and said it was imperative to ensure healthcare facilities, as well as trained doctors and nurses, at district and tehsil headquarter hospitals. He said trained staff should not be transferred at any cost.

Secretary Khokhar told divisional commissioners that weekly meetings must be held at the district and tehsil level to review anti-dengue activities. He sought regular progress reports in this regard.

The CS asked the primary health secretary to devise a comprehensive plan to rid the province of diseases such as dengue and polio.

“Human development was ignored in the past, but now there is a need to work on uplifting the social sector. Surveillance teams should carry out ‘qualitative work’ as quality is more important than quantity,” he said.

“Awareness on dengue should be increased as people’s cooperation is of significant importance in the efforts to control dengue; relevant departments should play an active role in this regard,” he added.

Dr Faisal Masood told the meeting that 22 dengue cases have been confirmed since January 2019.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2019.