- Punjab CM health advisor deems Rawalpindi vulnerable to dengue, directs authorities to speed up measures
While presiding over a dengue review meeting at the Rawalpindi Commissioner’s Office Thursday, Punjab Chief Minister’s Health Advisor Khawaja Salman Rafique said that dengue situation in Rawalpindi for the month of October was critical therefore all governments should speed up their anti-dengue efforts while citizens should keep their surroundings dry.
Health Secretary Malik Jawad Rafique, Rawalpindi Commissioner Zahid Saeed, DCO Sajid Zafar Daal, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Maroof Afzal, district officers of health, environment, education, agriculture and other concerning departments along with Rawalpindi Medical College Principal Dr Umer were present in the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Rafique directed Rawalpindi Waste Management Company to remove heaps of garbage and water bodies created due to recent rains. He said besides houses and commercial establishments, offices should also be checked for dengue larvae.
Moreover, Punjab health secretary said that all government departments would make anti-dengue efforts result-oriented by taking joint steps. He said TMOs have a vital role to play in eliminating dengue. He said that general health practitioners should be imparted required medical training to treat dengue positive patients and it should be ensured by concern departments that GPs have received this training.
Rawalpindi Commissioner Zahid Saeed said that performance of concerning government departments in anti-dengue campaign during Eid holidays was satisfactory.
In the meanwhile, the CDA chairman said that dengue was under control in the federal capital however all relevant steps were being taken to keep it under control.