peshawar - Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan on Monday presided over a high-level meeting to review latest dengue situation and to further beef up measures to contain the virus in the province.
The meeting was apprised of the latest situation of dengue across the province with special focus on the steps being taken for its prevention.
Expressing concern over the increasing cases of dengue patients in the provincial capital, the Chief Minister directed the authorities concerned for immediate removal of the District Health Officer (DHO) Peshawar from his post on account of poor performance and initiate inquiry against him, further directing the high-ups of the Health Department to post another officer on the post of DHO Peshawar.
The meeting was attended besides others by Special Assistant to CM for Information and Higher Education Kamran Bangash, Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) Haji Shaukat Ali, Noor Alam Khan and Sher Ali, Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) Arbab Jehandad, Pir Fida, Asif Khan and Fazl-e-Ilahi, Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, administrative secretaries of the concerned departments, CCPO Peshawar, Commissioner Peshawar and other senior officials.
The meeting was informed that for the first time 37 entomologists have been recruited in the province which is helping in making the government’s measures against dengue more effective. It was decided in the meeting that door-to-door campaign should be launched for the prevention of dengue and public awareness activities should be intensified, concerned departments should improve coordination between them in this regard.
The Chief Minister said that in order to make measures against dengue in Peshawar more effective, a coordination committee headed by members of the assembly and comprising officers of relevant departments should be constituted so that the departments along with public representatives could take steps in dengue affected areas.
He said that members of the Assembly were ready to extend all possible cooperation to the departments and to give suggestions to the concerned departments on issues related to dengue in their areas.
Mahmood Khan also directed the quarters concerned to form a fact-finding committee and submit a report to examine the funds released for the prevention of dengue. He said that dengue diagnostic tests should be made free of cost throughout the province.
He also directed that a weekly review meeting should be held with the public representatives on anti-dengue measures while the Department of Health, Local Bodies and WSSPs should jointly check the anti-dengue measures.
The Chief Minister warned all concerned departments that no negligence would be tolerated in this regard as protection of the lives of the people was one of the top priorities of the government. He said that all possible resources are being utilized for the prevention and control of dengue.
On the request of elected representatives, the Chief Minister directed the authorities concerned to release funds for the Institute of Kidney Diseases within two days so that the process of supply of medicines to patients could continue without any interruption.