Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the government had finalised foolproof arrangements for the eradication of and protection against dengue and all resources were being utilised for this purpose.
He said this while addressing a ceremony held at Minar-e-Pakistan in order to dispatch the dengue brigade to 14 districts of the province. The chief minister handed over the keys of the dengue brigade to administrators and TMOs of 14 TMAs, besides directing them to remain vigilant against the disease.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that initially the dengue brigade was being sent to districts where dengue cases were reported last year. He said that the area of operation of the dengue brigade would be extended to all districts by June 30, including far-flung districts such as Rajanpur and Layyah. The chief minister inspected dengue brigade machinery and also sought detailed information from Local Government Secretary Khizer Hayat Gondal in this regard.
Gondal told the CM that the latest foggers, imported from Germany, had been installed in the vehicles of the dengue brigade which are the best in terms of standard and efficiency. He said that special training was arranged for dengue brigade personnel in management and professional development departments. He added that, instead of inducting new staff, the existing staff was being utilised for this purpose.
He further said that the World Bank had provided local government departments 500 fogger machines, 1000 spray pumps and 2100 protective uniform kits for the spray staff.
