Dengue: One-day training workshop held for health department workers, EDOs

Health department told to pay attention to vector surveillance, larvicide, check on breeding of dengue mosquitoes,

LAHORE: Armed with a new Director General Health, the Punjab Health Department has assured that they will mount a successful charge against dengue this year.

The Department was directed by the Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Kh. Salman Rafique to pay special attention to vector surveillance and larvicide to keep timely checks on breeding of dengue mosquitoes, during a one-day training workshop in Lahore for Executive District Officers Health, district focal persons for dengue, data entry operators of Punjab.

Last year saw Punjab blanketed in one of the worst waves of dengue with over 15000 affected and

The participants of the workshop were informed about dengue situation in Punjab especially in Lahore. They were also apprised of symptoms of dengue and case management. Training was also imparted to data entry operators regarding dengue surveillance, vector surveillance and the method of data entry.

Director General Health Punjab Dr Nisar Ahmad Cheema, Incharge Dengue Research Cell Chief Minister's Secretariat Prof. Dr Wasim Akram, EDOs Health of Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Okara, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Kasur and Khanewal as well as officers concerned and staff were also present in the workshop.

Addressing the workshop, Rafique said that Punjab faced the worst outbreak of dengue mosquito last year however, under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab, the officers and staff of all concerned departments and public representatives made sincere efforts and the outbreak was under control.

Newly appointed DG Health Dr Nisar Ahmad Cheema assured on behalf of health department's officers that they will perform their responsibilities with commitment and dedication and dengue will not be allowed to transform into an epidemic this year.