Daily Times

Provincial Health Minister Dr Jawad Sajid Khan has directed the health department, relevant organisations as well as the district administration in the province to proactively continue anti-dengue activities in sensitive districts as per previous practice and procedure.

“No leniency will be tolerated in this regard as breeding hotspots of dengue mosquitoes can increase and therefore, full attention should be given to dengue surveillance,” he said.

He issued these directions while presiding over the first meeting of cabinet committee for anti-dengue on Thursday. Primary & Secondary Health Special Secretary Dr Faisal Zahoor, Dengue Experts Advisory Group (DEAG) Chairman Professor Faisal Masood, DEAG member Dr Somia Iqtidar, Professor Wasim Akram, Dengue Control Additional Director General Dr Saeed Ahmed Ghumman, Primary Health Deputy Secretary Dr Yadullah, Dr Shahnaz and senior representatives of different departments including the PITB were also present on the occasion. Professor Faisal Masood said that dengue disease is moving from urban areas to suburban localities and therefore, scope of dengue surveillance is needed to be further extended by district administrations in Punjab. Dr Saeed Ahmed Ghumman gave a briefing about the situation of dengue in the province and said that decline in dengue related activities has been witnessed by some departments and districts which is a matter of concern.

The health minister said that decline in anti-dengue activities will not be tolerated and added that dengue surveillance and case response should be continued as like the past. In cities and areas where such activities are less, the same should be improved and awareness campaigns should be launched to raise public awareness against dengue.

Published in Daily Times, June 22^nd 2018.