20 dengue cases reported in Punjab so far, meeting told

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique has directed departments concerned to boost outdoor and indoor surveillance for dengue. 

He stated this while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Dengue at the S&GAD Committee Room, Civil Secretariat, on Friday. Elected public representatives, senior officers of the departments concerned and health experts attended the meeting. 

The deputy commissioners and heath chief executive officers of Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum, Multan, Attock and Rahimyar Khan participated in the meeting through video link. 

Dengue Experts Advisory Group convener Prof Faisal Masood advised that dengue patients should be treated very carefully. He said that only trained doctors, nurses from DEAG should be deputed for the treatment of dengue patients. He said that if the blood pressure of a patient decreased below 100, the patient must immediately be shifted from the DHQ Hospital to Tertiary Care Hospital for intensive care. 

Dengue Control Additional Director General Dr Farrukh Sultan told the meeting  that 20 confirmed dengue cases had so far been reported in Punjab. He also informed that sufficient stock of anti-dengue spray was available in all the districts and at the provincial level. He said that additional quantity of chemical for fumigation was also being purchased as a buffer stock. 

Minister Khawaja Salman Raffique directed the CEOs of health to ensure blood test reports of suspected dengue patients within minimum time period so that proper treatment could be started. Khawaja Salman Raffique directed all the departments concerned to continue the anti-dengue activities vigorously along with awareness campaign about dengue.