LAHORE - Anti-dengue day will be observed across the province today for raising awareness about precautionary measures against the menace. Sweeping will be carried out in government departments to remove the dengue breeding sites and hotspots. Seminar and walks will be organised for creating awareness among the masses.
A Health department spokesperson on Saturday said that the participation of community would be ensured in the activities on anti-dengue day. He said that public seminars and walks would be organised by government departments and other autonomous institutions. Moreover, awareness campaign in both print and electronic media would be launched besides airing awareness messages on cable networks. He said that dengue was a medical as well as a social problem, therefore, full participation of community was essential for which walks and seminars would be organised for mobilizing community.
He said that banners, carrying dengue awareness messages, would be displayed at bus stops, railways stations etc.
Special directions for
eliminating dengue
Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister on Health Kh Salman Rafiq has directed officials to pay special attention to dengue surveillance in graveyards, junkyards, godowns and construction sites for elimination of breeding spots.
Chairing a meeting of cabinet committee on dengue at Civil Secretariat on Saturday, he directed removal of grass from graveyards to control dengue. Additional Chief Secretary Aamir Sohail Mirza, Commissioner Lahore Rashid Mahmood Langrial, DCO Lahore Capt (retd) Muhammad Usman, Director General Health Dr Zahid Pervaiz, Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr Salman Shahid, Head of Chief Minister’s Dengue Cell Prof Wasim Akram, Health officials, MD Wasa, EDOs (Health) Lahore and Sheikhupura, senior officers of government departments, towns administrators and officers of special branch and police attended the meeting. The meeting reviewed the steps taken by the town administration for dengue control, dewatering of rainwater from different ponds and disposal of solid waste. Each town administrator presented performance report. The officers also highlighted the problems and requirements for dengue surveillance at town level.
It was informed that dengue larva was detected mostly from room coolers, junkyards and water pots placed in graveyards. The town administrator of Ravi Town, Data Ganj Bakhsh Town, and Samnabad Town expressed apprehension that stagnant rainwater at various points could become breeding sites, adding that there was a need of carrying out special dewatering operation on war footing. The Additional chief secretary directed MD Wasa, PHA and officers of Education Department to ensure dewatering from open plots, grounds and parks. He directed the Environment department to make a binding on owners of junkyards to keep their materials under a covered place.