Officials told to accelerate anti-dengue measures

Punjab CS says concerted efforts are required to eradicate the virus

LAHORE: Fearing a spike in dengue cases, Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokar directed authorities to accelerate anti-dengue measures in the province, apart from taking effective steps to eliminate larvae.

He issued these directions while presiding over a video-link meeting of divisional commissioners at the Civil Secretariat.

The chief secretary stated that monitoring, surveillance, and reporting of dengue related activities should be improved. He warned officials that negligence will not be tolerated in this regard.

Capital’s hospitals told to devise dengue management plans

He ordered officials to form special teams to monitor the implementation of guidelines issued regarding dengue so that appropriate action can be taken against negligent officials. He maintained that concerted efforts are required to eradicate dengue once and for all.

“Awareness efforts should be enhanced as people’s cooperation can be helpful in controlling dengue. The relevant departments should play an active role in this regard,” he said.

809 cases of dengue reported from Karachi this year

He ordered that the availability of healthcare facilities and trained doctors and nurses be ensured for dengue patients at district and tehsil headquarter hospitals. He directed divisional commissioners to hold weekly meetings at the district and tehsil level to review anti-dengue efforts and added that a report should be submitted regularly in this regard.

He said that surveillance teams should focus on the quality of work instead of the quantity. He added that extra staff can be hired if the need arises. Primary Health Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman briefed the meeting that 33 dengue cases have been reported in the province since January.

He added that majority of the cases were reported in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpndi and Gujranwala.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2019.