Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid has directed the department to enhance dengue surveillance testing in Punjab labs in the Cabinet Committee at Civil Secretariat here on Wednesday. Present in the meeting were Chief Secretary Punjab, Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Sarah Aslam whereas Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners joined via video link. The meeting was attended by representatives of Police, DGPR, Civil Aviation, Livestock, DHA, PHA, Rescue1122, Special Branch, Higher Education, Local Government, Punjab Healthcare Commission and officials of the other government department. The Health Minister and the Chief Secretary reviewed the preparations of Dengue prevention. Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare shared progress measures taken to control dengue spread. The concerned departments presented their respective measures.
The Health Minister said, “The surveillance testing must be scaled up in the entire province. Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners must personally monitor the dashboard of dengue statistics. All government hospitals have adequate stock of medicines available. Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners must get active. Dengue will be kept under control and larvacidal activities must continue. Coordination must be strengthened among line departments for effective epidemic response. The implementation on DEAG recommendations must be ensured. I appeal people to keep their homes and offices clean. Rains can cause increase in number of cases. The Health Department is providing guidance to people through helpline. We will battle dengue epidemic along with Corona Pandemic and all administrative wings will have to work very hard. No negligence shall be tolerated on dengue prevention. Administration will have to stay alert on dengue prevention. The government is undertaking third party evaluation as well. Surveillance must be intensified.” Chief Secretary Punjab said this is time for action and all departments must with responsibility. Dengue prevention activities will be thoroughly reviewed and no laxity shall be tolerated. He asked the PITB to present analysis from their database.