Dengue awareness: Rafique says epidemic will be controlled soon

City govt told to trim shrubs, remove water pots in graveyards

MULTAN:

A campaign to raise awareness regarding preventive measures against dengue-fever will be launched in Multan, Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique said at a meeting at the Multan DCO’s office on Sunday.

He said the campaign was of vital importance and strenuous efforts must be taken to raise awareness about the menace. Rafique directed government officials to coordinate in their efforts to eradicate the threat in Multan district.

Rafique held several meetings in Multan and visited the dengue-fever ward at Nishter Hospital. He presided over a meeting with Emergency Response Committees of Sher Shah Town and Bosan Town with regard to controlling dengue fever. He also held a meeting in this regard at the Circuit House.

Board of Revenue Senior Member Nadeem Ashraf, Food Secretary Pervaiz Akbar, Irrigation Secretary Captain (r) Saif Anjum, DCO Zahid Saleem Gondal and the Health EDO attended the meetings. Rafique told officials to go door to door to raise awareness about dengue fever.

He told them to organise awareness walks at schools and colleges and distribute pamphlets carrying preventive measures against dengue fever.



Rafique also directed them to trim plants and shrubs in parks and to remove the water pots left in graveyards for birds. He said no negligence with regard to dengue surveillance would be tolerated.

He said carpet sprays of pesticide should be avoided and only fogging should be carried out in places where dengue mosquitoes or larvae were detected. “Spraying pesticides unnecessarily creates health hazards and damages the ecological system,” he said.

Raifque said only doctors trained to treat dengue fever by the Dengue Expert Advisory Group (DEAG) would be allowed to treat dengue fever patients at private hospitals. He said they had observed that untrained doctors ended up complicating dengue fever cases after which they are referred to public hospitals. “Don’t wait for the problem to aggravate,” he said.

During his visit to Nishtar Hospital, Rafique and DEAG Chairman Faisal Masood visited the dengue fever ward and inquired after the patients. Dr Masood reviewed the patient management regime to ensure that the SOPs for treatment of dengue fever were implemented.

Nishtar Medical College Principal Professor Kamran Salik, MS Ashiq Hussain and Health EDO Iftikhar were also present.

Dr Masood said the DEAG’s specialist doctors would hold more training sessions for doctors and nurses on how to manage dengue fever cases.

Rafique said dengue fever patients were being provided satisfactory treatment at hospitals in Rawalpindi and Multan. “We are certain the epidemic will be controlled soon.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2015.