Adviser Health Punjab Khawaja Salman Rafique has said breeding of larvae in dengue breeding spots will increase due to recent rains, and large scale efforts are needed for its elimination.
He stated this while presiding over a special meeting of cabinet committee on elimination of dengue at the commissioner office, Rawalpindi. Provincial Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Ali Jan Khan, In-charge Chief Minister’ Dengue Research Cell Ali Jan, Dr. Waseem Akram, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Azmat Mehmood, DCO Rawalpindi Sajid Zafar Dal and senior officers of provincial departments and administrative heads of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Sheikhurpura, Divisional and district heads of government departments participated in the meeting through video link.
The meeting reviewed in detail dengue situation in the province especially Rawalpindi, performance of government departments and institutions, future planning, training of staff, monitoring, appointment against vacant posts, public awareness campaign, indoor and outdoor surveillance and sanitary patrol and performance of dengue workers.
Kh. Salman Rafique said that before the start of dengue season, all government departments and institutions have been activated according to prescribed SoPs in Punjab and capacity building of government departments has been increased by fulfilling all their needs.
He said that dengue larva is being recovered in many other areas including Rawalpindi and work should continue efficiently for its eradication and public participation should be ensured in the process.
During the meeting, he inquired about the details of ongoing activities for search of larva in graveyards, junkyards, bus stands, parks, under-construction buildings, overhead and underground water tanks and reservoirs of water accumulating at open places and awareness among people for protection against dengue.