CM takes notice of dengue fever outbreak

Rawalpindi
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif taking notice of an alarming situation related to dengue fever outbreak has directed that work should be carried out on war-footings for eradication of dengue virus throughout Punjab including Rawalpindi and every step should be taken for protecting the people from the disease.
He said that special attention should be paid to indoor surveillance, and effective monitoring of all steps taken for eradication of dengue virus should be carried out.
The chief minister issued these directions while addressing a video conference held at Commissioner Office Rawalpindi.
The meeting reviewed in detail the measures taken for controlling dengue virus throughout Punjab including Rawalpindi. Shahbaz Sharif said that effective measures are very essential for controlling dengue virus in Rawalpindi.
He said had the prescribed SOPs been fully implemented in Rawalpindi, this situation would not have arisen. He warned that no laxity or negligence will be tolerated in taking steps for eradication of dengue virus. He stressed the need for working of town emergency response committees in an effective manner. He said that concerned institutions and departments should discharge their duties in a coordinated manner.
The chief minister directed Provincial Labour Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar and Agriculture Minister Dr. Farrukh Javed to immediately reach Rawalpindi and review anti-dengue fever arrangements whereas Provincial Education Minister Rana Mashhood and Advisor Health Kh. Salman Rafique to visit Multan and review the situation.
He said that special attention should be paid to the treatment and looking after of patients in the hospitals.
Shahbaz Sharif said that concerned institutions have to play an effective and vibrant role for protecting the people from dengue virus and there is no room of laxity or negligence in this regard. He said that elected representatives, administration and concerned institutions should work round the clock for controlling dengue. Provincial Ministers Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Additional Chief Secretary and concerned officials attended the video conference in Civil Secretariat Lahore while Advisor Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Members Assembly, Chief Secretary, Commission Rawalpindi division, Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University and concerned secretaries were present in Commissioner Office, Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, Wasa water section director Ahmed Manzoor told this correspondent that according to a survey made by the staff members of his department, dengue virus has been detected in those areas where water shortage problem exist and for which purpose people store water in their underground and overhead tanks for meeting their requirement. The tanks are not covered providing chances of prospering of dengue larvae. Similarly, in those areas where water remains standing in streets and roads. Wasa is working day and night to suck the standing water and repair the leakages of water and sewerage pipelines besides forcing the citizens to clean their water tanks.
Besides the governments and civic bodies, the citizens should also realize their responsibilities for adopting preventive measures to minimise the chances of growth of dengue larvae, he said. Without the cooperation of the citizens it is not possible to eradicate dengue virus completely, the director observed.