One & half months critical as dengue larvae present everywhere: Rafique

‘LATEST DENGUE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES’

MKRMS organises seminar on dengue fever in collaboration with Punjab Health Care Commission

Rawalpindi

Adviser Health Punjab, Khawaja Salman Rafique has declared Rawalpindi dangerous for next 40 to 45 days regarding dengue fever as larvae was present everywhere.

He stated this at a seminar ‘Latest Dengue Management Guidelines’ conducted with cooperation of Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Memorial Society (MKRMS) and Punjab Health Care Commission here on Tuesday.

The seminar was attended by Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Azmat Mehmood, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Gondal, Executive District Officer (EDO) Health, Punjab Health Care Commission Chief Executive Dr Azmat, Prof Muhammad Umar, Dr Mushtaq Sulehria and several others.

Adviser Health Punjab said that emergent steps should be continued for overcoming dengue menace completely. He said that the situation is improving gradually due to 100 per cent case response of dengue patients and reduction in temperature, however there is a need to take further steps for checking dengue in future. He said that Provincial Health Department and administration are keeping a watchful eye on the situation and besides capacity building and research; all possible measures are being taken for the improvement of medical facilities and participation of all concerned institutions in dengue control programme. He said that there were more than 40,000 patients of dengue in India and Philippines but in Pakistan situation was much better.

He said that Potohar region is under threat for next 40 to 45 days as larvae was present everywhere. It was needed to joint efforts to control gangue, he claimed. He advised public particularly housewives to remove water from everywhere in homes to avoid dengue. He appreciated the role of doctors for working day and night to end dengue fever. There will be zero tolerance on dengue issue, he warned. He particularly appreciated the role of media to curb dengue from society.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Azmat Mehmood during his speech strongly appreciated the role of doctors to look after patients coming to Allied Hospitals of Rawalpindi. But, he showed strong concerns over the attitude of Islamabad Management as they are not taking too much interest in controlling dengue. He appealed to Islamabad administration to work with Rawalpindi administration to end dengue from society. He said that some time they are bearing burden of patients of Islamabad. “With joint efforts, we could kill dengue in a better way,” he advised.

District Coordination Officer (Rawalpindi) Talat Gondal also appreciated the positive role of doctors. He appealed to public to cooperate with local management to curb dengue from the region. He reviewed the current measures and future strategy in the light of data being compiled on daily basis regarding number of patients and identification of larva in dengue affected areas of Rawal Town, City and Cantonment Rawalpindi. He appreciated the efforts of Health Department, administration and all concerned institutions regarding immediate measures against dengue disease. He said that although number of dengue patients was decreasing due to weather change however, strenuous efforts should continue to check dengue.

Punjab Health Care Commission Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Ajmal said that everyone should make personal efforts to eliminate dengue from the region. He strongly appreciated Jang Group of Companies for providing positive information to public about dengue fever.

Prof Dr Javed Akram, vice chancellor, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University in his speech strongly appreciated the role of media particularly the role of Jang Group for providing positive information about dengue fever. He said that public should not panic because it is curable disease. “People should handle this disease with brave hearth rather panicking in fear,” he advised.

Similarly, Dr Mushtaq Sulehria, Director, Technical Adviser of Punjab Health Care Commission, Clara Pasha, Dr Naveed Ahmed, Dr Asif, Dr Umar and several others also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the role of doctors. They advised public to first adopt preventive part instead of clinical part to end dengue.