CS orders strict action over violation of dengue SOPs  

LAHORE: Kamran Ali Afzal, Chief Secretary, Punjab, expressed alarm at the rising dengue cases situation and recently issued directions to the relevant authorities to take stern action over the violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He issued these directions while presiding over a meeting at the Civil Secretariat. The meeting reviewed the dengue situation and medical facilities for the patients.

The Chief Secretary said that the protection of the health and lives of the people was of utmost importance to the government. He asked the officers not to show any leniency over the violation of dengue SOPs. He directed all the divisional commissioners to act against those who are not adhering to the precautions.

The Chief Secretary said that all the departments are required to ensure the implementation of the instructions regarding dengue prevention. He also ordered a timely response to the cases being reported from private hospitals and laboratories.  

He directed the health department to pay attention to dengue larvae extermination through micro plans in the districts at higher risk of the dengue outbreak.

The secretaries of the health departments gave a detailed briefing to the meeting. The participants were informed that 2711 confirmed dengue patients, and four deaths had been reported this year. After Lahore, dengue cases are also increasing in Rawalpindi and Sheikhupura.  

The health department has set up a 340-bed dengue field hospital at Expo Centre Lahore.

The deputy commissioner Lahore apprised the meeting of the details of the action taken against the violators of SOPs. He said that the district administration arrested 16 persons and registered 783 cases in Lahore last month.  

The secretaries of health and industries departments, Chairman of the Punjab Information and Technology Board (PITB), Director of General Public Relations, and officers concerned attended the meeting. At the same time, all the divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated through video links.