8 kids die of diphtheria in Gujranwala in 2 months

GUJRANWALA: As many as eight children had died of diphtheria during the last two months here.

Similarly, 20 children were suffering from the disease during the same period and were under treatment at hospitals. The increasing number of victims has raised the questions about the performance of the health authorities. The citizens have shown serious concerns over the situation and demanded the higher authorities take action to stop the death tolls and control the whole situation. The victim children, including six-year-old Abdul Hassan, seven-year-old Zeeshan Ali, 12-year-old Hassan, 12-year-old Zuhra Batool and three-year-old Arham, died within a few days after contracting the contagious disease. It was told that all the children had got vaccinated of anti-diphtheria.

Citizens criticised the health authorities and said that the children were dying of the disease while the Punjab government was focusing just on dengue eradication.

When contacted, Commissioner Zahid Akthar Zaman said that he himself took notice of matter and asked the health authorities to furnish a report in this regard.

The commissioner said that he also directed concerned authorities to produce the actual figures about anti-diphtheria vaccination (EPI) in the district.

Tendering process: Commissioner Zahid Akhtar Zaman Friday said tendering process for new development schemes has been made competitive, fair, open and fully transparent throughout the division.

During a video link meeting with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the division, commissioner said Because of strict implementation of the Punjab government’s directions and monitoring interested contractors have submitted their tenders for various schemes even 20 percent below the government rates resulting in saving of millions to the government.

He showed his firm resolve to ensure complete transparency and merit in the award of tenders and said it was the duty of the executing departments to encourage open bidding and fair competition among the contractors to break the nexus and allow everyone to participate in the tendering process. Meanwhile, the commissioner directed all DCs and officers to serve the public with devotion, commitment and to the best of their abilities besides ensuring early disposal of public complaints and grievances.

DC, CPO VISITS VEGETABLE, FRUIT MARKET: Deputy Commissioner Sohail Ashraf and CPO Gohar Mushtaq Bhutta visited vegetable and fruit market to inspect the auction process on early Friday.

Talking to people, the DC said every possible step is being taken to provide relief to the masses. He said he was monitoring the performance of price control magistrates daily and they were instructed to ensure implementation of recommended prices. Both the officers asked traders to avoid profiteering and ensure provision of daily use items to citizens on controlled rates.