Punjab to prepare 10-year anti-dengue strategy: Yasmin Rashid

LAHORE: Punjab will prepare its 10-year Anti-Dengue Strategy in light of the review and discussion by local and international experts, said Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid at the two-day International Dengue Conference 2020 started here Thursday.

Punjab has organised the International Dengue Conference 2020, bringing together leading global experts to develop action plan to control dengue in the wake of a global pandemic that has hit countries from Far East Asia to South Asia.

The disease is fast spreading from tropical regions into the sub-tropical regions of the world. Dengue cases have seen a dramatic rise in many countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka Bangladesh and others over the past three years.

Dr Yasmin Rashid said that Punjab has hired over 6,000 dengue workers and the department has been strenuously working on cities hit hard by the epidemic.

Punjab in the last low season has seen a decrease in cases by the efforts of the team led by Secretary PSH Captain (r) Usman Younas. She said that the conference would help to put together strategies that would not only be helpful for Pakistan, but also for other countries of the region. Earlier, musical show and cultural performances highlighting the bright side of Pakistan were presented for the audience.

Punjab Environment Protection Department also set up a stall, which had various pamphlets and banners for the prevention of environmental pollution especially for the prevention of dengue. On the direction of EPD provincial minister, Secretary Saima Saeed, DG Tanvir Warraich and other senior officials of the department visited the stall at different times to educate the people about precautionary measures to control dengue and pollution.

Speaking to media representatives, the secretary said it was very important to stop the dengue larvae growing and people should take precautionary measures to keep the environment clean and dry.

DG EPD appealed to the public through media that the doors and windows should be kept open during mosquito spray by cleaning houses, offices.