LAHORE: The Punjab government has tasked the administrative secretaries of the departments with monitoring the anti-dengue activities in all Lahore cities and directing them to provide periodical reports on their implementation.

Kamran Ali Afzal, Chief Secretary, Punjab, orders strict implementation on Dengue SOPs across the province 

The decision was made during a meeting at the Civil Secretariat presided over by Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Kamran Ali Afzal, Chief Secretary, Punjab. The meeting examined in depth the measures taken to eradicate dengue from the province.

Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique ordered that all public and private hospitals and laboratories should report dengue cases. He stated that the system of monitoring, surveillance, and reporting should be enhanced. He said that a third party would evaluate the quality of measures' execution. He stated that fogging should be used to eradicate mosquitoes when necessary.

The Chief Secretary recommended that all departments ensure execution of the SOPs surrounding dengue, adding that implementation-related performance would be examined on a regular basis. He stated that the assistance of the general public is crucial for the prevention of dengue. He urged the public to maintain clean homes and environs. In addition, the Chief Secretary gave directives to deputy commissioners for the elimination of dengue larvae in hotspots.

Officials from the health department informed the audience that 132 confirmed cases of dengue have been registered in the province to date. They reported that six districts, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sheikhupura, and Gujranwala, had been designated as high risk.

The meeting was attended by the administrative secretaries of the Health, Education, Irrigation, and Information departments, while all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated by video link.