So far, during this season, there is no dengue positive case in Punjab said Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Health, MPA Khawaja Salman Rafique.
He speaking as Chief Guest at a seminar titled ‘War against Dengue’, Dengue Epidemic Prevention Control and Management organised here by Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians, (PAFP) Pioneers, in collaboration with City District Government (CDG) said that CM Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and his team is making all out efforts to eliminate dengue from the province.
The seminar was presided over by Commissioner Rawalpindi Amdad Ullah Bosal while Member National Assembly Shakeel Awan, Advisor to CM Punjab, Zakia Shahnawaz, PML-N leader, Shaista Pervaiz Malik, MPA, Arfa Khalid Pervaiz, Head of Dengue Research and Development (R & D) Programme of Punjab, Dr Waseem Akram, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Saqib Zafar, Executive District Officer, Health Rawalpindi, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Gondal, DO Health Dr Khalid Randhawa, DO Health (II) Rawalpindi Dr Anser Ishaq and a large number of family physicians and surgeons were present on this occasion.
A certified training session on dengue was also organised by Pakistan Academy of family physicians, Pioneers.
Khawaja Salman Rafique addressing the participants said that day and night efforts were made to control the dengue during 2011.
Punjab particularly Lahore was under worst attack of the disease last year but due to a comprehensive plan and great efforts the situation was brought under control and this year so far there is no dengue positive case in the province during this season.
He said that the registration of volunteers in the province is underway who in case of any epidemic will work with the government.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that over 100 countries were affected by this disease but no one could take the steps, the Punjab government demonstrated in fight against dengue within a short span of time
Advisor to the CM Punjab, Zakia Shahnawaz said that every citizens will have to come forward to play its role as your action will protect not only you and your family, but your neighbours as well that is why, be socially responsible. She said that all precautionary measures must be adopted.
Other speakers said that the investigations reveal that mosquito breeding sites are present in many premises and in the immediate neighbourhood of patients who suffer/die of dengue.
Every citizen should play role to stop dengue by elimination of breeding places.
Dengue Mosquitoes commonly breed in containers with collection of water. Such containers lie in and around homes, schools and work places.
Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Imdad Ullah Bosal on this occasion said that all the departments concerned are making coordinated efforts under a comprehensive plan to make the ongoing anti-dengue and larva -ciding campaign more effective.
He said that the awareness campaign against dengue has been expedited to make the citizens aware for adopting precautionary measures in their houses and surroundings.
Member National Assembly Shakeel Awan said that Punjab government is utilizing all available resources to control the dengue. He also highlighted a number of steps being taken by the government to control the dengue.
