LAHORE - Aas many as 102 more patients were brought to different hospitals on Sunday.
Out of these new cases, 20 were reported from Children’s Hospital, 15 from Mayo Hospital and 67 from other public sector and private hospitals in the City. So far 32 measles patients have lost their lives at different hospitals in Lahore.
On April 17, Chief Minister Najam Sethi has vowed that all required resources would be made available to save the children.
He was presiding over a meeting at Chief Minister’s Secretariat which was attended by Provincial Minister for Health Salima Hashmi, besides other officers concerned. Steps taken against measles, dengue and polio diseases reviewed in the meeting. The chief minister directed the departments concerned to launch a vigorous public awareness campaign through media besides seeking cooperation of ulema to make the citizens adopt preventive measures against measles.
“Public awareness helpline has been fully activated and citizens can now gather information about measles, and its prevention through 0800-9900. Vaccination of children against measles is essential, and immediate arrangements should be made to purchase anti-measles vaccination on emergency basis from own resources, without waiting for international funding,” he held.
Sethi directed that lady health workers should be mobilised and asked to provide literature, based on preventive measures against measles, at every house. He said medical experts should provide relevant information to the people against measles, along with taking preventive steps and ensuring proper medical care.
The chief minister directed that special vaccination campaign against measles should be launched in the affected areas, and no effort should be spared to provide proper medical care to the children suffering from the disease.
He directed that banners, based on information regarding preventive measures against measles, should be displayed at important places. He said all out efforts would be made by the Punjab government to save children from measles and it would efficiently discharge its duties in this regard. Sethi noted that, as a result of timely steps taken by the government, dengue situation is under control and no death has occurred due to dengue virus in Punjab. He said an effective strategy has been adopted against dengue and all departments are working in a well-coordinated manner.
The chief minister directed anti-dengue action plan should be effectively implemented while special attention should be paid to indoor and outdoor surveillance. He directed that mechanical sweeping for larviciding should be ensured. He said review should be made about distribution of free-of-cost spray pumps and literature based on preventive measures and a report be submitted to him.
Sethi said anti-polio campaign would continue till April 17, during which thousands of children below five years of age, would be administered anti-polio drops. He said anti-polio drops would also be administered to children at entry and exit points of the city, through special arrangements.