Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that all resources are being utilised for the eradication of dengue virus. He said that provision of best medical facilities has been ensured to the patients in the hospitals and additional staff and machinery have been provided for the purpose.
He also ordered immediately assigning the duties to provincial ministers for reviewing the steps taken for eradication of dengue virus in various districts. He said that private hospitals will provide free medical facilities to the dengue fever patients whereas laboratories will provide test facilities at very reasonable rates. He directed that the committee consisting of elected representatives should hold talks with the owners of laboratories and concerned hospitals in this regard and formulate a clear-cut policy.
He was presiding over a meeting of Special Emergency Committee set up for eradication of dengue virus, here Sunday.
Addressing the meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that whatever is humanly possible for meeting the challenge of dengue virus is being done and a campaign for elimination of this virus is being run as a movement in which all segments of the society have been included. He said that an effective campaign for creating awareness among the people is also going on and not only seminars are being held at town level in this regard, but informative programmes are also continuing in schools, colleges and various community centres.
He mentioned that a special help-line has been set for the guidance of dengue virus patients and a large number of citizens and patients are getting information from it. He disclosed that more than 200 people including the people belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh got guidance from this help-line on the very first day.
The CM said that government has also decided to import medicines and equipment for elimination of dengue virus on emergent basis and medicines for elimination of virus can be imported early from India as compared to other countries and these medicines can also be imported by air, road and train. He directed Secretary Health to immediately contact Indian High Commissioner and take steps for importing medicines approved by World Health Organisation.
He said that two years ago, this disease had spread in Sri Lanka and about 35,000 people were affected by it but they have overcome this disease and the co-operation of Sri Lankan government for eradication of dengue virus is praiseworthy. He directed the secretary health to immediately contact Sri Lankan High Commissioner with regard to provision of staff, equipment, technical assistance and medicines.
He directed that the process of recruitment of work-charge employees for spray and fogging should be completed at the earliest and chambers of commerce and industries, philanthropists and NGOs should also be included in this campaign. He said that general practitioners should also be contacted for free medical examination of dengue virus patients and psychiatrists should be deputed in the hospitals for counselling of patients and their attendants.
Shahbaz made it clear that funds have been released to town committees and they should purchase machines for spray in the houses. He directed that 200kg medicines be provided to all town committees immediately. He said that pump should also be obtained from agriculture department for spray. He said that the provision of treatment facilities to the dengue virus patients through mobile health units should also be considered.
He said that the elements involved in the price-hike of mosquito repellents deserve no leniency and administration should take strict action against them. He said that government and private hospitals and laboratories showing best performance in the campaign against dengue virus will be encouraged. He directed Secretary Health to evolve a strategy in this regard. He appreciated the services of Medical Superintendent Mayo Hospital Dr Zahid Pervaiz with regard to providing best treatment facilities to the dengue virus patients.
The chief minister gave 'shabash' to the officials carrying out spray for saving the people from dengue virus and directed to completely take care of them. He also appreciated the services of Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board, Dr Javaid Abdul Ghani, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College, Dr Javaid Akram and Secretary Health, Jahenzeb Khan.
On the request of Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, army has set up medical camps in the cantonment area and DHA for providing medical facilities to dengue virus patients. A separate unit has also been established in CMH, which would supplement the efforts being made for provision of medical facilities to the patients and eradication of dengue virus. Chairman of Town Committees informed the meeting about the steps taken for elimination of dengue virus in their respective towns. Secretary Health Jahanzaib Khan told the meeting that a total of 2,994 dengue virus cases have been reported in the province, of which, a large number relates to Lahore. He said that best facilities are being provided in the hospitals and additional machines have also been provided to the Ganga Ram and Lahore General Hospital.
He informed about the spray in schools and distribution of pamphlets among the people at important roads and places whereas DCO Lahore informed about the steps taken for carrying out spray and elimination of virus.
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