Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday formally launched the “Qadam Barhao Dengue Mukao” campaign in Punjab, under which awareness would be created among citizens on how to keep their houses, mohallahs, streets, bazaars and surroundings clean.
He distributed pamphlets, informative literature and anti-dengue kits in the dark and narrow streets of Mohni Road, and among the residents of katchi abadis in Shahdara. He also drained out stagnant water from a fountain and a house with the help of citizens. Elected representatives accompanied him. Talking to the media and citizens on this occasion, the CM said he would not rest till dengue was eliminated.
He said the government was utilising all resources for the eradication of the disease, and hoped it would be controlled with the cooperation of the masses. He said we have to fight dengue instead of being afraid of it. This disease has only spread in Pakistan during the last few years, whereas more than 80 countries of the world, including Sri Lanka and Thailand, have been affected by it for many years. He disclosed that dengue mosquitoes breed in houses, offices, shops, dirty and clean water, tyre shops and other places, therefore, cooperation of the people for their elimination was of great importance.
He said the best medical facilities were being provided to patients in the hospitals, and machines and medicines were being imported. Maximum fee for dengue tests had been fixed at Rs 90 in private laboratories, whereas free medical facilities were being provided to dengue patients in private hospitals. He said strict action had also been taken against those hospitals and laboratories not cooperating in this hour of trial.
Doctors, nurses and paramedical staff were focusing all their energies on the provision of medical facilities to dengue patients and were performing their duties round the clock. Five lakh anti-dengue kits had been distributed among people. He appealed to the media to publish news about dengue and help in creating awareness among people: besides reporting deaths it must also appreciate the services of those messiahs due to whose efforts countless lives had been saved and thousands of people had recovered.
The CM also paid a surprise visit to Jinnah Hospital and went to the ICU wards and enquired from the patients about the medical facilities being provided them. Talking on the occasion, he said all resources were being utilised for provision of facilities to the patients in hospitals, and additional machines and staff had been deputed. He inspected the dengue counter and reviewed the facilities being provided there.
CM outlines further steps for dengue eradication: While addressing a meeting held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Sunday to review the ongoing campaign and steps taken for eradication of dengue, the CM said field hospitals were being set which would become functional within next 24 hours. He directed that arrangements should immediately be made for the installation of imported machinery in hospitals, and directed the chief secretary to upgrade dispensaries working under the Punjab Rural Support Programme.
Members of national and provincial assemblies, secretaries of different departments, experts and members of the Sri Lankan medical team were present. Addressing the meeting, the CM said all resources were being utilised for the eradication of dengue and the efforts of doctors, paramedical staff and other departments were commendable in this regard. He said a vigorous awareness campaign was in progress. He directed that after reopening of educational institutional, maximum seminars should be held there.
He said the basic objective of the closure of educational institutions was to complete preventive arrangements against dengue. He said the process of spraying had been completed in government schools, but some private educational institutions had not followed these instructions. He said such educational institutions would not be granted permission to reopen. He directed to ensure the process of spray in offices, multi-storey buildings and housing societies and said the environment secretary should inspect tyre shops regularly and submit reports within 48 hours.
Appreciating the performance of the helpline, he said guidance had been provided to more than 57,000 people by the helpline. He directed the DCO to submit a report by tomorrow regarding complete shifting of cattle from the city. Earlier, secretaries of various departments, Commissioner Lahore, DCO Lahore and Chairmen of town committees informed about the steps taken regarding eradication of dengue virus.
Sri Lankan team confident dengue would be controlled: Head of the Sri Lankan medical team visiting Pakistan, Dr Thissera Hasitha, said the people of Punjab were lucky to have as selfless, untiring and dedicated a chief minister (CM) as Shahbaz Sharif, and expressed confidence that the people of Pakistan would succeed in controlling the dengue outbreak under his leadership.
Members of Sri Lanka’s medical team said Pakistanis were loving people and their visit had been memorable, adding that the people associated with the medical sector in Pakistan were talented and had the ability to fully counter dengue and would succeed in the eradication of this menace.
The CM said due to the expertise and technical assistance of the Sri Lankan medical team, an effective strategy had been developed for the provision of medical facilities to dengue patients and for the elimination of dengue, adding that the Sri Lankan team had provided guidance to local experts, and with their consultation, High Dependency Units had been set up in hospitals for patients suffering from an advanced stage of dengue.
He said a surveillance system had been set up and roadmap made in consultation with the Sri Lankan team.
Some members of the Sri Lanka team were returning to Sri Lanka, and would be replaced by others on September 28.
