‘Probe causes of dengue fatalities this year’

LAHORE:Provincial Health Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Khawaja Imran Nazir have ordered finding out the causes of dengue deaths this year and negligence in reporting and determine the responsible parties.

The ministers issued these orders while presiding over the 9th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Dengue and Infectious Diseases in the Department of Primary and Secondary Health Care.

The ministers reviewed the dengue situation in the districts of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan and Sheikhupura. Health Secretary Nadia Saqib presented the statistics in this regard.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that after the recent rains, we have to be alert to prevent the spread of dengue. The administration of sensitive districts will have to work harder. Commissioners and DCs themselves monitor the anti-dengue operations. Anti-dengue surveillance activities should be increased in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and other sensitive districts. All the secretaries should ensure the implementation of the decisions taken in the meeting. The health department is adopting an effective plan to prevent dengue and other diseases. Every dengue case needs to be tracked. Every department has to be active at the district level. Dengue medicines are available in abundance in government hospitals. Khawaja Imran Nazir said that anti-dengue activities should be intensified in high-risk districts.

No compromise on quality in hospitals revamping projects

Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said there will be no compromise on quality and transparency in hospital revamping projects. The minister said this while chairing a meeting in the Department of Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education here on Thursday.

Khawaja Salman said that the contractors have been instructed to complete the revamping projects at Nishtar Hospital Multan, Children's Hospital Multan and Multan Institute of Cardiology by increasing the work in two shifts. He said that the Nishtar Hospital Multan, Emergency and OPD, emergency, OPD and indoor wards of Children's Hospital Multan and emergency and other departments of Multan Institute of Cardiology are being revamped.

‘We are trying to complete revamping projects on priority in the government hospitals. Officers concerned have been instructed to continuously monitor the ongoing revamping project in the government hospitals.

Special Secretary Development Wajid Ali, Chief Planning Officer Abdul Haq Bhatti, officials of the three hospitals of Multan, XEN, contractor and other officers attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the minister visited the Emergency Services and Rescue Headquarters. Secretary Emergency Services Dr Rizwan Naseer welcomed him. The minister, Parliamentary Secretary Ziaullah Shah and Dr Rizwan Naseer exchanged views regarding training on CPR and other modern courses to rescuers under training.

Administrator Emergency Services Academy gave a briefing on training stalls and Air Ambulance Service. Dr Rizwan Naseer gave a briefing on rescue operations, emergency vehicles, live monitoring and data centres across Punjab. Khawaja Salman Rafique said, ‘Our brave rescuers are providing the best emergency services to the people across the province. We are working for the welfare of the rescuers.

‘Air Ambulance Service is running successfully in Punjab. Emergency services will start on motorway very soon. Rescuers are the pride of our beloved country Pakistan.’ Parliamentary Secretary Emergency Services Department Ziaullah Shah said, ‘We will raise the voice to the authorities for the improvement of emergency services and the welfare of rescuers.’ Dr Rizwan Naseer said, ‘Our rescuers will make Pakistan proud by working harder than before.’