Awareness drive: 500 participate in EPD’s anti-dengue walk
Pamphlets distributed among commuters.
Pamphlets distributed among commuters. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS
LAHORE:
A dengue fever awareness walk was organised by the Environment Protection Department (EPD) from Liberty Roundabout to Gulberg’s Hafeez Center on Sunday.
As many as 500 people participated in the awareness drive. Students, activists, local politicians and other public figures attended the awareness walk.
Minster for Environment Shuja Khanzada, Environment Secretary Anwar Rasheed and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Farooq Hameed Sheikh led the walk. A flag march of the anti-dengue squads of the EPD was also carried out.
The participants of the campaign were carrying banners and placards bearing awareness messages regarding dengue fever. Pamphlets and leaflets were also distributed among commuters.
Khanzada told newsmen said such awareness walks and sessions were an effective way to sensitise masses about dengue fever.
He said, “If we succeed to educate masses, they will be to fight the dengue fever menace on their own.”
Rasheed said that nine squads of the EPD had been inspecting tyre shops, warehouses, junkyards, construction sites and residential areas.
He said the EPD had inspected 16,614 places in 36 districts of the Punjab and issued 5,600 notices, and sealed dozens of dengue larvae-infested areas. He said dozens of FIRs had been issued for not complying with the epidemic control policies.
He said the government had assigned EPD to identify and eliminate the dengue breeding sites in tyres shops, junkyards, nurseries and construction sites in the province.
Sheikh told the newsmen that the dengue directorate of the Environment Department had been working in all parts of the province to cope with the threat of dengue fever.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Myda Shah, a student of the Beaconhouse National University (BNU), said, “I am here with my family to support this awareness campaign on the dengue epidemic. It is our duty to serve the community we live in.” Sophia Mirza, a model and TV actress, told The Express Tribune, “The awareness walk is being held on a weekend. This is a win-win situation for the people as it it gives people the opportunity to socialise and help contribute to the cause.”
Imrana Tiwana of the Lahore Bachao Tehreek, said, “Such walks are the need of the hour as they help in educating and motivating masses to keep the environment clean.”
Suleman Khanzada, a businessman based in Lahore, said, “I had a dengue last year. I decided to help as much as I can in my personal capacity. Attending this awareness walk is the least I could do.”
Dress Designer and MPA Hina Butt told The Express Tribune, “We must all play our part in controlling the dengue fever epidemic. If I can help even one person, I think I would have done a good job.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2013.
A dengue fever awareness walk was organised by the Environment Protection Department (EPD) from Liberty Roundabout to Gulberg’s Hafeez Center on Sunday.
As many as 500 people participated in the awareness drive. Students, activists, local politicians and other public figures attended the awareness walk.
Minster for Environment Shuja Khanzada, Environment Secretary Anwar Rasheed and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Farooq Hameed Sheikh led the walk. A flag march of the anti-dengue squads of the EPD was also carried out.
The participants of the campaign were carrying banners and placards bearing awareness messages regarding dengue fever. Pamphlets and leaflets were also distributed among commuters.
Khanzada told newsmen said such awareness walks and sessions were an effective way to sensitise masses about dengue fever.
He said, “If we succeed to educate masses, they will be to fight the dengue fever menace on their own.”
Rasheed said that nine squads of the EPD had been inspecting tyre shops, warehouses, junkyards, construction sites and residential areas.
He said the EPD had inspected 16,614 places in 36 districts of the Punjab and issued 5,600 notices, and sealed dozens of dengue larvae-infested areas. He said dozens of FIRs had been issued for not complying with the epidemic control policies.
He said the government had assigned EPD to identify and eliminate the dengue breeding sites in tyres shops, junkyards, nurseries and construction sites in the province.
Sheikh told the newsmen that the dengue directorate of the Environment Department had been working in all parts of the province to cope with the threat of dengue fever.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Myda Shah, a student of the Beaconhouse National University (BNU), said, “I am here with my family to support this awareness campaign on the dengue epidemic. It is our duty to serve the community we live in.” Sophia Mirza, a model and TV actress, told The Express Tribune, “The awareness walk is being held on a weekend. This is a win-win situation for the people as it it gives people the opportunity to socialise and help contribute to the cause.”
Imrana Tiwana of the Lahore Bachao Tehreek, said, “Such walks are the need of the hour as they help in educating and motivating masses to keep the environment clean.”
Suleman Khanzada, a businessman based in Lahore, said, “I had a dengue last year. I decided to help as much as I can in my personal capacity. Attending this awareness walk is the least I could do.”
Dress Designer and MPA Hina Butt told The Express Tribune, “We must all play our part in controlling the dengue fever epidemic. If I can help even one person, I think I would have done a good job.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2013.