LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed all the departments and concerned institutions to ensure complete implementation of anti-dengue plan.
Presiding over a meeting on Friday, the chief minister said that the Health Department should work efficiently for the monitoring of dengue patients, adding that best treatment facilities should be provided to them in hospitals. He issued instructions for immediate action against those responsible for the death of a dengue patient in Lahore and directed that stern punishment under the law should be awarded to those who showed carelessness in the treatment of the dengue patient.
Shahbaz Sharif further directed that all out preventive measures be adopted for controlling Ebola virus. He also reviewed the steps taken against dengue virus in Rawalpindi division and issued instructions to elected representatives and administration through video link. He also issued instructions for a third-party audit of the steps taken against dengue, saying that a committee be constituted for improving the anti-dengue plan.
He said that the committee should review the whole system and submit its recommendations in the light of which immediate reforms be introduced for further improvement.
Shahbaz Sharif expressed indignation over the increase in the number of dengue patients in Rawalpindi and non-implementation of the preventive measures. He reprimanded the concerned authorities and directed that special attention be paid to dengue surveillance in Rawalpindi. \He said that though progress has been made in case management in Rawalpindi. However, there is a need for improving implementation of preventive measures against dengue, he added. Addressing a high level meeting to consider necessary steps for controlling Ebola virus, the chief minister directed concerned departments and institutions to remain fully alert in view of the threat. He said that necessary arrangements for screening of Ebola virus were necessary at airports.
The CM issued instructions for setting up a steering committee headed by Chief Secretary and directed that the committee should submit recommendations regarding preventive measures against Ebola virus, promotion of public awareness, coordination with federal government and clinical management. A specialist doctor of World Health Organization gave a detailed briefing on Ebola virus and preventive measures.
Separately, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zaka Ullah called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif where both the dignitaries discussed the matters of mutual interest.