LAHORE  - Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister on Health Kh Salman Rafiq has directed the concerned departments to start anti-dengue activities in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Chairing first meeting of cabinet committee on dengue control at Chief Ministers Secretariat on Tuesday, he said that early surveillance, larviciding activities and awareness steps would be helpful in controlling dengue at initial stage.
Besides Parliamentary Secretary Health Kh Imran Nazir, elected representatives, Secretary Health Babar Hayat Tarar, Commissioner Lahore Rashid Mehmood Langrial and secretaries/additional secretaries of various departments, DG Health, Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University Prof Faisal Masood and senior officers of PITB, IPH, police and special branch attended the meeting. Kh Salman Rafiq said that all officers and officials were aware of their duties due to four years’ experience in dengue control activities.
Briefing the meeting, Secretary Health informed that during current year no dengue case has so far been reported in Punjab while in Sindh 120 confirmed cases have been reported. He informed that sufficient stock of medicines/chemicals like deltamathrine, tomiphose was available in the stores. He said that SOPs evolved by the experts of IPH have been published in a book form which would be circulated to all departments and district governments.
During the meeting, senior officers gave briefing regarding their preparedness and steps taken for dengue control. It was informed that dengue surveillance activities have been launched in Lahore, Sheikhupura and other sensitive districts. Secretary School Education Abdul Jabbar Shaheen informed that school children would wear full sleeve shirts throughout the year. He said that a circular has been issued to all EDOs Education for its implementation.
Prof Faisal Masood informed that Dengue Expert Advisory Group has completed training of doctors and nurses in case management and treatment of patients. Chief entomologist Prof Waseem Akram informed that training modules have been formulated for training of more than 400 master trainers in the field of dengue surveillance, larvaeciding, fogging, spray etc. He said that these master trainers would impart training to other officials in their departments/institutions.