Gujranwala at high risk of dengue, meeting informed

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafiq has directed that a vigorous dengue awareness campaign should be launched in collaboration with the local government and district councils in Punjab and billboards and banners should be displayed in the cities. 

He expressed the views presiding over a meeting of the cabinet committee on dengue at Civil Secretariat on Monday, according to a handout. Besides elected preventatives, senior officers of all government departments concerned including Primary & Secondary Health and Specialised Healthcare, public health experts, incharge CM’s Dengue Research Cell Prof. Wasim Akram and attended the meeting. Deputy Commissioners and CEOs Health of other districts participated in the meeting through video link.

Addl. Director General Dengue Control Dr. Farrukh Sultan briefed the meeting about the dengue situation and steps being taken for its control in Punjab. He said that 40 confirmed dengue patients had so far been reported in Punjab during the current year while indoor and outdoor dengue surveillance continued in dengue risk districts.

It was also informed that larvae detection has been started in Gujranwala and in coming days, Gujranwala may become a hotspot for dengue. Salman Rafiq directed that the next meeting of the cabinet committee on dengue should be held in Gujranwala to evaluate the situation and for taking effective measures for dengue control. He directed Prof. Wasim Akram to visit Gujranwala along with technical staff on Monday to monitor the situation. He also directed departments concerned to resolve complaints received on helpline and identified by special branch and Punjab Information Technology Board. He directed that Lahore Waste Management Company should take immediate steps for redress of complaints regarding removing waste in the identified areas.

Cleanliness: Principal Post Graduate Medical Institute and LGH Prof Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab has stressed upon the need to fully act upon the principles of cleanliness and hygienic atmosphere as per instructed by the Health Care Commission so that the number of diseases and patient could be minimised in the hospital.

Addressing the workshop held here at Lahore General Hospital on Monday, Prof Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab said that in private and public hospitals we should work on controlling infection and waste management has key role in this respect. He pointed out that constant measures should be adopted to ensure standard and quality of cleanliness.

In-charge Infection Control Lahore General Hospital Nurse Qurat-ul-Ain said that doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, patients and their attendants should work in a team for healthy atmosphere and observe laid down instructions in the hospital.

Other speakers highlighted the role of awareness among masses not to spit here and there and have knowledge to properly use bathrooms. Similarly, unnecessarily visit of children in the hospitals also create problem and enhance risk of spreading disease. Proper disposal of used syringes, drips and other medical equipment is also important to minimise the hazards of infection, the speakers concluded.