Punjab chief minister’s adviser on health, Khawaja Salman Rafique, on Saturday stressed the need for focus on medical research for effective control of dengue.
Addressing a public awareness seminar organised by the Rawalpindi Medical College at Holy Family Hospital in connection with Anti-Dengue Day, Rafique said doctors, nurses, paramedics and the community had collectively faced the challenge of dengue in Rawalpindi and despite a large number of dengue patients it was encouraging that no loss of life occurred. He said their success reflected expertise and professional excellence.
Rafique said that due to the collective efforts of the government departments, public awareness regarding dengue had increased and the situation was improving gradually as people had started adopting precautionary measures to check dengue.
The adviser said that doctors of government hospitals in Rawalpindi especially in the Holy Family Hospital rendered tremendous services to protect the lives of dengue patients. He said the condition of dengue patients was improving fast due to the efforts of the doctors. He said a number of deaths due to dengue had been reported in Malaysia, Thailand and other countries, but by the grace of God dengue situation in Punjab was under control.
Rafique further said the chief minister was keenly watching the whole situation personally.
Punjab Health Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik, Rawalpindi Commissioner Sajid Zafar Dal, Chief Minister Dengue Research Cell Incharge Prof Wasim Akram, RMC Principal Prof Dr Mohammad Umer, Additional Director General Dengue Control Dr Islam Zafar, EDO Health and other senior doctors were present at the seminar which was attended by a large number of doctors, nurses, paramedics and medical students.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Health Jawwad Rafique Malik said that Pakistani doctors and public health experts learnt very fast as compared to other countries. He said even Sri Lankan medical experts had acknowledged the capabilities of the medical experts of Punjab. He assured that more nurses would be deployed in the Holy Family Hospital besides provision of funds for the procurement of bio-medical equipment.
Prof Wasim Akram said there were a number of vector-borne diseases that could be prevented through community participation.
Prof Mohammad Umer informed about the medical treatment facilities being extended to the dengue patients at the hospital.
