Minister for devising strategy to control dengue

Punjab Minister for Literacy and Non-Formal Education Raja Rashid Hafeez on Monday directed the officials concerned to devise an effective strategy to control the spread of dengue.

Chairing a meeting to review the anti-dengue arrangements, along with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tahir Farooq, the minister directed the relevant quarters to implement anti-dengue standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Provincial government in letter and spirit.

He said that strict action would be taken against those showing negligence in eradicating dengue larvae breeding. On the occasion, the DC further directed the officials of the departments concerned to carry out surveillance of buildings under construction, garbage dumps and graveyards within the district limits.

He directed the officials to expedite indoor and outdoor surveillance to trace larvae and their eradication. In addition, he issued orders to ensure the availability of the required medicines in hospitals. He said that an integrated system should be put in place for the awareness of the public.

On the occasion, the Health Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Faiza Kanwal, briefed the meeting that no positive case had been detected so far since the start of the year.

“However, larvae have been found at 18 points during indoor vector surveillance, while during outdoor vector surveillance, the larvae were detected at two spots,” the CEO said. She briefed the meeting that the relevant measures had already been taken in accordance to SOPs issued by the government.

The CEO added that the special monitoring of dengue surveillance teams was being carried out to make field activities more effective. So far, two FIRs, nine challans amounting to Rs25,000, and six buildings have been sealed in the Rawalpindi district for violation of dengue SOPs, she informed.

Incumbent lawmakers and district administration officials also attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2022.