KARACHI: Dr Yasmin Rashid, the Minister of Health and Population Welfare of Punjab (HM), recently called up a meeting of the Dengue Technical Working Group to control the current wave of dengue cases at the Department of Primary and Secondary Healthcare (PSH).
Attending the meeting were Ahmed Javed Qazi, the Secretary of the Department Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education (SHME), Imran Sikander Baloch, the Secretary of PSH and Special Secretary Prof Mehmud Shaukat. Dr Haroon Jehangir, the Director-General (DG) of Health Services of Punjab, Saleha Saeed, Dr Wasim Akhtar, Consultant Dr Asad Aslam Khan, Dr Shahid Magsi, CEO (Health) of Lahore, the Additional Secretaries and concerned officials were also present on this occasion.
The HM reviewed the dengue situation in the province while the secretaries of both health departments described the latest situation in their respective departments and facilities to her.
“We are making amends in the existing strategy of dengue control. November is critical in curbing the spread. All-Union Councils have been directed to scale up dengue prevention measures. A few drastic measures with 15 days targets have been initiated. Surveillance is being increased, and all housing societies have been asked to start fumigation at potential mosquito breeding sites”, said Dr Yasmin.
“All stakeholders will have to play their role. DHA, Wapda Town, Allama Iqbal Town and Valencia are currently reporting more cases. Fogging is underway during the morning and evening around homes from where Larva is found. Insha’Allah, very soon, we will be able to control dengue, like we did the pandemic. Dengue controlling teams perform excellent duties, and the healthcare professionals’ morale is high to treat dengue cases. We are committed to gaining control over dengue and COVID-19. People will have to show vigilance to support the government as the government alone cannot control it. All our resources are being utilized to control dengue.” She urged.