LAHORE: Punjab Chief Secretary (CS) Zahid Saeed has given directions that the mechanism for dengue monitoring, surveillance and reporting should be improved, saying that now is the time to work hard to cope with the challenge of dengue.
He was presiding over a video-link meeting regarding dengue control at Civil Secretariat on Saturday. Addressing the meeting, the CS said that keeping in view the situation in Peshawar, anti-dengue activities must be expedited throughout Punjab. He mentioned that concerted efforts are needed to eradicate dengue once and for all.
He ordered the Punjab Health Department (PHD) to give better patient management training to the doctors of private hospitals.
He said that surveillance teams should carry out ‘quality work’ as quality is more important than quantity. He said that entomologists have been deputed in districts and more staff can be hired if required.
Keeping in view the last year’s experience, the CS directed deputy commissioners (DCs) of Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Multan to adopt a better strategy to cope with dengue this year and situation to be monitored regularly.
He said that there is a need to work with national spirit for eradicating the disease. Awareness regarding dengue should be enhanced as people’s cooperation is significant in the efforts to control the disease. All departments should play and active role in this regard, he added.
The chief secretary ordered the Livestock secretary to take all possible measures for the prevention of Congo virus. He directed that special teams of Livestock Department (LD) should be formed to spray on animals at cattle markets, and entry and exit points of cities.
Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, administrative secretaries of different departments including finance, livestock, health and environment, and Lahore DC were present at the meeting. Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala and Sheikhupura DCs joined the meeting through a video link.
