20-day dengue fumigation drive kicks off on Friday

Karachi
A 20-day drive against dengue fever and malaria will be launched on October 30 and a fleet of 30 well equipped vehicles has been arranged for the purpose, said Programme Manager for Dengue Control, Dr Mushtaq Solangi, on Wednesday.
In a briefing to Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar, he said that the drive would be conducted phase wise from October 30 to November 20 to curb the virus across the metropolis.
“An adequate quantity of insecticides has been arranged which meets the requirements of public health and safety standards,” he claimed.
However, two days before, the Sindh chief minister had ordered an inquiry against the use of expired insecticides for fumigation.
As many as 2,703 dengue cases and seven deaths have been reported in the province this year.
During a meeting on Monday, Qaim Ali Shah had said that he had received complaints of the use of expired chemicals in the fumigation drive.
"This is serious negligence and I can’t tolerate it,” he said and directed the chief secretary to form an inquiry committee to probe into the case.
Schedule for the drive
As per the schedule, the campaign would be commenced from October 30 to November 2 in district South; November 3 to 5 in district West; November 6 to 7 in district East; November 10 to 13 in district Central; November 14 to 17 in district Korangi; November 18 to 19 in district Malir; and November 20 in district Gadap.
Dr Solangi, in the meeting, said the fumigation campaign would be carried out in the evening hours while each zone would be covered on daily basis.
Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar also urged the officials to continue with the public awareness campaign sensitising people to the dangers attached with the virus.
“Dengue fever is caused by a peculiar type of mosquito that breeds in clean water and it mainly affects people at the time of dawn and early in the morning. People must be convinced to keep their fresh water storage properly covered and in regular running condition,” said the health minister.

CBC drive
The Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) has started a fumigation drive in the wake of rising cases of dengue fever in Karachi, CBC official said on Wednesday.
“The campaign includes fumigation, spray and oiling drives; intended against the stagnant water, pond, storm water, drains, garbage dumps, nullahs and manholes. The campaign will effectively prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, flies and insects, which are the potential carriers of different deceases and viruses,” he said.
He further said that insecticides of various categories were being sprayed at each nook and corner of the areas in the CBC jurisdiction.
“The campaign includes fumigation of all the CBC areas from Phase-I to Phase VIII, Clifton Block 8 and 9 and the surrounding slum areas including Dehli Colony, Punjab Colony, Hazara Colony and Chandio Village.”
“Executive Officer CBC Shahrome Safdar Khattak has also asked CBC medical officer Dr Amreen Junaid to establish dengue medical cells and instructed the staff to leave no stone unturned for making the campaign a success.”

Aseefa urges efforts
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, daughter of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and former president Asif Ali Zardari, has also emphasised the need for carrying out fumigation all over Sindh.
In a meeting with officials of the health department on Wednesday, she said the health facilities were among the basic needs of the people.
“The Pakistan People’s Party government is taking all possible measures to improve health conditions,” she said.
The officials briefed her about the problems and challenges regarding the campaign against virus.
Senior Director Health and Medical Services Salma Kausar, Senior Director Municipal Services Masood Alam and KMC Administrator Sajad Hasan Abbasi showed up at the meeting.