LAHORE - Adviser to the Chief Minister Punjab on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique has expressed dissatisfaction over the anti-dengue activities carried out by the government departments in Rawalpindi.

According to a handout issued here, he warned the officials that if dengue epidemic situation prevailed in Rawalpindi, concerned departments would be held responsible.

He said nothing was more precious than human life and zero tolerance would be shown in dengue control activities. Salman Rafique directed the concerned authorities to ensure dengue control activities and surveillance during the holidays of Eid-ul-Fitr.

He was presiding over a meeting to review the dengue control measure in the DCO office, Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Besides, DCO Rawalpindi Talat Mehmood Gondal, officers of districts administration and senior officers of concerned government departments attended the meeting.

Khawaja Salman Raffique said according to the instruction of the Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, all resources, including human resource were being provided to the concerned departments according to their needs. He said Dengue Expert Advisory Group had imparted training to the doctors and nurses for case management of dengue. He said that field formations of dengue surveillance have also been trained in their field.

Khawaja Salman Raffique said last year there were lot of dengue patients reported in Rawalpindi but due to extraordinary arrangements in the hospitals hundreds lives of dengue patients were saved. He said that due to forecast of heavy monsoon rains, there was a need to remain more vigilant and alert during current year to control dengue mosquito breeding. He said that besides taking anti-dengue measures, a vigorous public awareness campaign was also essential for effective community participation.

Earlier, DCO Rawalpindi and other concerned departments briefed the advisor regarding indoor and outdoor dengue surveillance activities.