Anti-dengue drive to start soon

Authorities concerned have decided to kick off the anti-dengue drive in Rawalpindi well before the advent of the dengue season to contain the spread of the mosquito-borne ailment.

According to sources, they have also decided to conduct anti-polio campaigns every month, besides conducting surveys on malnourished children and inoculating children aged up to 12 years against six diseases.

Sources said field staff would ensure the inclusion of every child through door-to-door campaigns and reach out to them in schools.

“The training of all dengue patrol workers in Cantt, Rawal, and Potohar circles was completed on Friday for the early commencement of the anti-dengue campaign,” they said.

Female and male workers were trained to inspect indoor places, underground water tanks, and fridge trays with expert techniques.

A special flashlight will be used for checking the water tanks in dark buildings, the sources said and added that a new Anti-Dengue Surveillance Plan has also been approved which is to be extended to the lower block level of every union council.

“Special responsibilities are being assigned to the police and the Special Branch in this campaign under which the Special Branch officers will secretly check under-construction buildings, water ponds, graveyards, tire shops, and junkyards and submit reports to the deputy commissioner,” they said.

Sources further said all government institutions of the district have been included in this campaign and they have also been entrusted with the responsibilities.

The department of civil defense has been assigned to conduct third-party surveys and the department of environmental protection will be responsible for checking scrap yards, under-construction buildings, etc.

The Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation and Cant board administration will check the cemeteries within their limits while the anti-dengue patrol workers will perform their duties from 8am to 5pm. According to the new plan, cluster units have been formed at the block level for the dengue campaign and each cluster will have a separate in-charge who will file the daily dengue report.

Moreover, the sources said the deputy commissioner will directly supervise the dengue campaign.

This year, the district administration has declared all the areas from where dengue patients were brought in the last 5 years as dengue hotspots.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2023.