LAHORE - Anti Dengue Day was observed across the province yesterday for raising awareness about benefits of cleanliness and precautionary measures to avoid the disease.

Seminars, walks and cleanliness drives were arranged by various departments and private healthcare institutions to mark the day.

The Directorate General Health Services arranged a walk to mark the day. Ali Jan Khan, Secretary Primary and Secondary Health, led the walk that started from the DG Office and ended outside the Punjab Assembly. Health DG Dr Mukhtar Hussain Sayed, Dengue Control Addl Director General Dr Fayyaz Butt, Non-Communicable Diseases Control Director Dr Haroon Jehangir Khan, officials and nursing students participated in the walk.

They were carrying placards and banners inscribed with anti-dengue slogans and precautionary measures. Ali Jan Khan also distributed pamphlets among the pedestrians and bikers.

Speaking on the occasion, Ali Jan Khan stressed the need of coordinated efforts by government and the community for controlling dengue. He said that dengue was a health and social problem; therefore community participation was necessary for overcoming the menace.

He further said that drainage of stagnant water and cleanliness was the basic requirements to check mosquitoes breeding. He added that no dengue patient has been reported so far; however necessary arrangements have been made for treatment of dengue patients.

The health secretary also urged the need of coordinated efforts to check dengue outbreak at the peak season.

Students, staff and faculty of the University of Health Sciences (UHS) staged a walk to create public awareness about the dengue fever and its prevention.

Addressing the participants, Prof Aslam Khan of UHS Human Genetics Department said that the university was maintaining to keep its campus as a “Dengue Free Zone”. In this regard, consecutives surveillance on scientific footing is being carried out on various spots all around the campus, he informed.

Post Graduate Medical Institute/Lahore General Hospital also observed Anti Dengue Day. The day started with the cleaning of the office of Principal Prof Khalid Mahmood by himself. Later all the departments were cleaned. Spray was also carried out in the premises.

A training workshop was held at Medical Unit One attended by a large number of doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. Experts delivered the lectures on the topic. Banners and posters carrying slogans about the importance of hygiene and cleanliness and preventive measures were displayed in various parts of the hospital. Informative pamphlets were also distributed among the patients and their attendants.

Prof Mahmood said that tempo of campaign against dengue should be maintained.

Punjab Institute of Cardiology arranged a walk led by Chief Executive Prof Nadeem Hayat Malik and Medical Superintendent Dr Dildar Ahmad Khan. Doctors, nurses and other staff participated in the walk. Pamphlets were distributed regarding protection against dengue.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital arranged a walk led by Medical Superintendent Dr Nouman Matloob.

Lady Aitchison Hospital also arranged a walk led by MS Dr Samina who distributed pamphlets among the patients and their attendants. Directorate of Internal Audit Health Department arranged a walk. Director Internal Audit Wing Sarfraz Ahmed led the walk. The participants visited door to door in Huma Block, Allama Iqbal Town and sensitised the residents regarding the measures to remove the dengue hotspots from their houses and to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Fatima Memorial Hospital observed dengue day with an awareness walk to highlight precautionary measures.

Dr Shahzad Naseem, Infection Control Officer of Fatima Memorial Hospital, said: “Fatima Memorial Hospital has always been vigilant to minimise the incidence of dengue by vector control. The measures taken by Fatima Memorial Hospital include availability of educational material for general public and the hospital staff, display of banners within the institution and regular rounds to ensure that there are no breeding grounds for mosquitoes within the premises of the hospital.”

Punjab Agriculture Department held several walks and seminars in different localities. Special Secretary Agriculture Hassan Sardar led the walk from Secretariat to The Mall and distributed pamphlets among the citizens. The participants urged the people to play active role in anti dengue activities by cleaning their houses and removing breeding spots in their surroundings.

Another walk was arranged at Agriculture House Davis Road.

In a seminar held at Agriculture House, the speakers briefed about the possible hideouts of larva and mosquito. They guided the participants the ways to keep their premises safer. It was urged to start an anti dengue drive and remove junkyard, old tyres, discarded articles and disposable plastic bottles and avoid storage of water in these articles.

A walk was arranged from Thokar Niaz Baig to Agriculture Office. Pamphlets were distributed among people.

Gulberg Town administration organised a walk from Liberty Roundabout to Hussain Chowk which was lead by Assistant Commissioner Model Town Rao Imtiaz Ahmed. Participants from Lahore Waste Management Company, Health Department, Social Welfare Department, Education Department, Water and Sanitation Agency, Parks and Horticulture Authority, and allied departments participated in the walk.

Wildlife and Parks Department arranged a walk from head office to MAO College. Director General Wildlife Khalid Ayaz Khan led the walk participated by Deputy Director Headquarters Muhammad Naeem Bhatti, Deputy Director Publicity and Research Aamir Masaud, Deputy Director Lahore Region Zahid Iqbal Sheikh and other officials.