Anti-dengue drive rolled out in South Punjab

An anti-dengue campaign is in full swing in South Punjab, in light of clear instructions from the Punjab Government and orders issued by the Secretary Health South Punjab. Anti-dengue teams were led by AC City Khawaja Umair, District Health Officer Dr. Ali Mehdi and in-charge Command and Control Center South Punjab Dr. Ata-ur-Rehman. The teams took action on Monday and sealed 3 hotels and a clinic in Gulgasht area for non-implementation of dengue SOPs and the presence of dengue larvae. In this regard, Dr. Ata-ur-Rehman stated that a zero tolerance policy was adopted during the anti-dengue campaign and no concessions would be made to anyone failing to follow the rules.

This campaign comes after a South Punjab Health Department meeting held in April, where it was decided that the Department would bolster efforts to combat the spread of dengue in the region.

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The meeting, chaired by Secretary Health South Punjab Tanveer Iqbal Tabassum, decided upon ensuring the implementation of dengue SOPs by serving notices and conducting field visits to restaurants, parks and other public areas.

Action was already underway by March 2022, when six FIRs were registered against violators of dengue policies. Additionally, 38 notices were served to violators. The Health Department conducted surveillance of public places and found dengue larvae in several locations across Multan. CEO Health, Dr Shoaib Gormani, stated in a meeting that cases were registered against at least 20 locations where dengue larvae were discovered.

In addition to punishments against violators, citizens were urged to maintain a clean and dry environment to prevent dengue larvae from manifesting.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2022.