Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that dengue has become a social problem, therefore, all segments of the society will have to play their role for elimination of dengue virus so that people could be rid of this disease on permanent basis. He urged upon the elected representatives to play their due role and launch a vigorous campaign against this disease with the help of the masses. He said that Punjab government has taken all necessary measures for protection from possible dengue outbreak and the work of indoor and outdoor surveillance is going on speedily. He expressed these views while talking to the assembly members belonging to various districts on Saturday. The CM said that people would have to change their social habits for elimination of dengue. He said that effective participation of community in the ongoing campaign against dengue was essential, therefore, elected representatives should enhance liaison with the people and create awareness for adopting preventive measures against dengue at local level. The CM said that every possible step is being taken for protection of human lives and this year the situation was better than last year. Sharif said that he was personally monitoring the ongoing campaign against dengue and instructions had been issued to all concerned departments and institutions for protection from possible outbreak of dengue. He said that district administrations, all over the province including Lahore, had been put on alert and directed to ensure that the water should not accumulate in low lying areas and arrangements be made for its immediate drainage. Shahbaz said that emergency response committees had been activated so that elected representatives could work actively against dengue in their respective areas and pay special attention to sensitive places. He stressed upon elected representatives to personally supervise graveyards, junkyards, tyre shops and hotels and get removed the garbage jointly with the concerned departments in their respective areas. He said that elected representatives will have to play their effective role for making the campaign against dengue a success by realizing their responsibilities.
