Media watch: Dengue and Polio

Media talks about the recent dengue epidemic and the failure to curb polio, while suggesting possible solutions.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Pb govt should focus on dengue virus instead of politics: Babar

Talking to media persons at Lahore Airport, federal law minister said the Punjab government should give due attention to dengue virus instead of political virus, adding that the former could catch mosquitoes, if not the absconders. (nation.com.pk)

Anti-dengue strategy

Apart from the need to strengthen surveillance for dengue infection, our authorities should, as per the recommendations of international health organisations, adopt a community-based approach involving local leaders and inhabitants in cities and towns to control the transmission of dengue and DHF. (dawn.com)

Dengue epidemic

Our federal and provincial governments only react to catastrophes. They fail to be pro-active and plan ahead. Alarm bells should be ringing in the corridors of power. There is a need to fight the dengue virus on a war footing. There is still time. But action must be taken now, before the dengue virus becomes another tragedy for the people of Pakistan. (dailytimes.com.pk)

The polio failure

Ill-educated and poorly developed populations are prey to all sorts of misapprehensions and the way, in this case, to realign their thinking is through the help and support of religious scholars and teachers. They can shape local opinion and behaviours in respect of health issues, but they have to want to do it and there has to be support for them from the government. (thenews.com.pk)