Provincial Minister for Law, Rana Sanaullah Khan has said that government is fully aware of the problem of dengue and like previous years, vigorous steps are also being taken for eradication of dengue this year. He said that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is personally monitoring the activities of all departments in this regard.
He said this while addressing a press conference along with Health Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Secretary Health Hassan Iqbal, Secretary Information, Momin Agha, Commissioner Lahore Imdadullah Bosal and other senior officers regarding dengue situation in Punjab. Rana Sanaullah said that district governments are fully active regarding controlling dengue and all necessary steps are being taken at district level.
Addressing the press conference Health Minister said that government is fully prepared for eradication of dengue. He told that anti-dengue day will again be observed on August 17, so that maximum awareness could be created among the people. Health Minister said that all necessary medicines and spray pumps are available in abundance for eradication of dengue in Punjab. He said that all pumps have been duly checked and are in working condition. He said that the required pesticides are also available in reserved stock. Khalil Tahir Sindhu further told that 20 patients have been reported from January 2013 till date in Punjab and they have been provided free treatment facilities. He said that at present only 8 patients are under treatment. Replying to a question, Khalil Tahir Sindhu said that the number of dengue patients in Karachi is more than 500. He said that those people suffering from dengue are also advised to avoid traveling during Eid holidays.
Law Minister said that government is making efforts to check the spread of dengue and awareness is being provided at every house for this purpose. He said that this message has been conveyed to the people through media in a better way. He said that media should also play its due role in this regard. Commissioner Lahore told that district administration is fully monitoring dengue situation and has made all arrangements. He said that district officers are checking tire shops, graveyards, junkyards and under-construction buildings and cases are also being registered on violation. Rana Sanaullah said that government and the Chief Minister Punjab do not want to register cases against the people or arrest them but it is responsibility of the citizens to cooperate with the government against dengue. Incharge CM’s Dengue Research Cell Dr. Waseem Akram told that steps have been started against dengue from February 14 and these activities are continuing due to which the situation is under control. Law Minister said that media should guide the people. However, it is also responsibility of the media to bring out the people from despondency. Law Minister said that cooperation of the people is essential for achieving success against dengue.
Prof. Masood advised the people to cover the water drums and not to store the water at open places and in utencils for protecting from dengue. He said that people should also use anti-dengue lotion to save themselves from mosquitoes. Secretary Health Hassan Iqbal said that all arrangements regarding diagnostic and treatment of dengue patients are available in the hospitals and no patient will be sent back without treatment. He said that health department is serving the people round the clock.