Campaign against dengue: Officials spread awareness as Punjab govt cancels Sunday holiday

ATTOCK/ RAWALPINDI:

All government offices in Punjab remained open on Sunday and officials helped with fumigation, larvae finding and spreading awareness about dengue.

In Rawalpindi, the highlight of the day was a walk organised by the Rawal Town Municipal Administration from Fawara Chowk in Raja Bazaar to Liaquat National Bagh, highlighting the precautionary measures against mosquitoes.

Politicians, government officials, students, doctors, paramedical staff and others attended the walk. The participants carried banners and posters highlighting the precautionary measures against dengue and urging people to maintain cleanliness in and around their homes.

After speeches, MNA Malik Shakil Awan, MPA Raja Muhammad Hanif, Rawalpindi Commissioner Imdadullah Bosal and DCO Saqib Zafar distributed pamphlets on dengue among people on Murree Road.

Later, MNA Awan along with DCO Zafar and DHO Dr Ansar Ishaq conducted a larvacide campaign in Nullah Leh near the Pir Wadhai Bridge. They also visited a number of markets in Rawalpindi and supervised fumigation there.

In a seminar at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC), MPA Ziaullah Shah said the government cannot fight dengue without public support. A puppet show titled “Bhag Dengue Bhag” (run dengue run) based on skits and songs was also arranged for families to spread awareness on dengue. The RAC also organised a walk and held an exhibition of posters on dengue made by students from various schools.

In Attock, Acting DCO Abid Khan Wazir participated in a seminar at the TMA Hall. Participants at the seminar stressed the need to create awareness among the public to uproot the dengue virus. After the seminar, the participants participated in a walk from the TMA Hall to Katchehri Chowk.

Participants of the rally held placards inscribed with precautionary measures against dengue virus. Special meetings were also head in government schools at all levels. Head of schools and teachers delivered lectures to students and distributed literature about dengue.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2012.