ICTA draws flak over dengue control lapses

Surveillance weak in border areas of twin cities

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi district administration has recorded its official protest against Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) for lapses in the anti-dengue drive in border areas of the twin cities.

The communiqué was sent following a survey of IJP Road ¬ border between Punjab province and the federal territory.

Rawalpindi Station Commander Brigadier Aijaz Qamar Kiyani along with the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Maham Asif visited the IJP Road and adjoining areas.

The officials inspected the anti-dengue surveillance in the related areas and expressed displeasure on non-implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for anti-dengue drive by the Islamabad administration.

Dengue ends naturally, wards stay for next year

ADC briefed the station commander about the measures taken by the administration to cull dengue mosquito larvae so as to prevent another breakout this year. Kiyani reviewed the measures taken by the administrations of the twin cities and directed to expedite draining of rainwater from roads and thoroughfares and cleaning of storm drains. The station commander also directed to swiftly perform actions required to be taken for the culling of dengue mosquito larvae.

He added that measures taken by the administrations of both cities would help stem the spread of the dengue virus this year. Earlier this month, in a meeting of stakeholders convened by Defence Housing Authority (DHA) II Station Commander Brig Kiyani, it was decided to expedite the anti-dengue drive in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2020.