CM Usman Buzdar for resources proper usage to check diseases

LAHORE:Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has said on Thursday that the solution of health problems, including dengue lies in proper usage of available resources. The chief minister pledged complete support for the control of dengue in Punjab. He welcomed the foreign experts and assured of the all-out effort from the Punjab government.

He stated this while addressing as chief guest at a two-day international conference on dengue organised by Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare here. The conference is being held with an aim to devise joint strategies with other countries of the region facing dengue epidemic. International experts on virology public health epidemiology and virology are sharing their latest research with the local experts. Experts from public and private universities related organisations, other stakeholders as well as prominent figures from all walks of life are attending the conference.

Usman Buzdar said 350 people lost their lives due to dengue in Punjab so far while several were admitted to the hospitals but Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and her team controlled the increasing dengue cases in the province with their untiring efforts. The government officers made extraordinary efforts to eliminate dengue larvae, he said.

Usman Buzdar hoped that recommendations of the participants would help the government to control over the deadly dengue virus in future. Meanwhile, the chief minister presided over meeting at his office to review proposals for building a new city near the River Ravi.

Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General (DG) Sumair Ahmed Saeed gave a briefing about the proposed project.

The chief minister ordered for constituting a steering committee comprising officials of federal and provincial government departments besides other stakeholders to review the proposed plan and submit its recommendations.

He also directed for working out recommendations for developing a new city around any other district except for Lahore, adding that alternative model should be worked out, instead of focusing on any particular city, for building a new city. Building new cities is important in the wake of population increase, he added.

Housing Minister Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority chairman, chief secretary, LDA vice-chairman, senior member Board of Revenue (SMBR), chairman Planning and Development (P&D) and others attended the meeting.

CONDOLENCES

The chief minister visited the residence of Alhamra Arts Council Executive Director Athar Ali Khan to express condolences over the death of his mother.

The chief minister extended heartfelt sympathies and prayed for the departed soul. He said, "Mother is a great blessing of Allah Almighty with no substitute.” May Allah Almighty grant courage and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude, he added.