Effective steps for prevention of dengue stressed

PESHAWAR: Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Azam Khan has directed Health, Local Government and Information Departments as well as deputy commissioners of all districts in the province to carry out effective steps and arrangements for the prevention of dengue.

Addressing Dengue Response Unit meeting organised by the Health Department here, the chief secretary stressed that taking steps for the prevention of dengue was collective responsibility of society. "This can be achieved by creating awareness in public about dengue by devising effective methodology for timely prevention of the virus," he added.

Secretary Health Abid Majeed apprised the meeting about arrangements made by Dengue Response Unit for the prevention and eradication of dengue. He said government departments and district administration liaison was necessary for the purpose, adding that last year, dengue larvae breeding points, high risk union councils and districts had been identified with the help of entomologist after dengue cases surfaced in Peshawar and some other districts of KP.

"To overcome the fever, other government departments along with health department have to take joint steps," he elaborated that the Health Department had already shared comprehensive strategy with district administrations regarding dengue virus, Zika virus, and Chikungunya. In addition, dengue prevention training program for staff has been completed.

Meanwhile, chairing another meeting, the chief secretary stressed upon the deputy commissioners to ensure high quality of polio campaigns in their respective districts with special focus on mobile population coming from Afghanistan and other districts. He was chairing the meeting of the Provincial Task Force held here at his office.

Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, National Coordinator for Emergency Operations Centre Dr Rana Mohammad Safdar, Secretary Health KP Abid Majid, Coordinator EOC KP Atif Rehman and other officials and representatives from partner organisations were present in the meeting. The Provincial Task Force is the forum which periodically reviews the progress of Pakistan Polio Programme in the province and takes stock of the situation to devise future roadmap.