‘The war against dengue has been won’

Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that those who waged a successful crusade against dengue are national heroes and will be rewarded.
He expressed satisfaction over the fact that no human life was lost this year because of dengue while addressing a special meeting regarding dengue at Model Town. He added that he is thankful to the public representatives, concerned institutions and especially the masses who extended their cooperation in the drive against dengue.
Provincial Minister for Education Mian Mujtaba Shujar ur Rehman, Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Special Assistant Kh. Salman Rafique, Advisor Zaeem Hussain Qadri, members of national and provincial assemblies, heads of development agencies and experts were present on the occasion.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that the worst outbreak of dengue was faced last year, however, every human effort was made to counter the situation. He said that doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and officials of other institutions were imparted training abroad. He said that relentless efforts were also made this year for controlling dengue and he had never seen such team work on any other front in his life. He said that the performance of Special Assistant Khawaja Salman Rafique, concerned institutions, district government and their teams is laudable.
Moreover, he said that a two day seminar will be held on November 10 and 11 to encourage the outstanding performers in the drive against dengue. He said that friends from Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand would also be invited on this occasion who had extended fullest cooperation last year in the fight against dengue. He further said that those who showed outstanding performance in anti-dengue campaign last year would also be encouraged. The CM also added that there is a need to continue efforts for complete eradication of dengue and a more effective strategy will have to be adopted for future by keeping in view the flaws and shortcomings in the recent campaign.