The distribution process of financial assistance of Rs 0.5 million to heirs of each dengue victim has started in a transparent manner and particulars of the deceased have also been collected after thorough scrutiny, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday. He was chairing a meeting of the emergency dengue committee. Shahbaz said that it was decided to set up a blood bank, which will start functioning within the next few days. Shahbaz said that arrangements for sending 150 doctors and nurses to Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand for training were completed.
Shahbaz said that a comprehensive system was evolved for various matters, including elimination of larvae of dengue with cooperation of Sri Lankan experts, looking after complicated patients in high dependency units and training of doctors. He said that a system should be evolved for vector control of dengue on a permanent basis and surveillance teams should work continuously for this purpose. The CM directed the Punjab food secretary that special teams should visit hotels and restaurants regularly for reviewing the steps taken regarding eradication of dengue. He also directed that steps should also be reviewed for eradication of dengue at bus stands and a report be submitted on a daily basis in this regard.
