LAHORE: On the directions of Punjab government, anti-dengue day was observed on Saturday with a renewed pledge to continue efforts for eradication of dengue by raising awareness about the issue and keeping the environment neat and clean.
All the government offices including those of provincial government, attached departments, district, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies remained opened where the government employees carried out activities for making their respective premises neat and clean. Attendance of the officials, however, remained thin.
To mark the day, seminars, walks and other activities were held. Speakers in these functions said dengue is a fatal disease but it can be controlled through effective strategy for which short, medium and long-term planning is necessary.
They said that every member of the society will have to contribute his share in the drive against dengue virus. They added that dengue has been described as a social issue rather than a medical problem by the experts and there is a need to bring change in our lifestyle for resolving this problem on permanent basis.
Giving media briefing after dispatching vehicles carrying banners for promoting awareness in different areas of the Lahore City, in connection with the anti-dengue day, Punjab Minister for Health Khalil Tahir Sindhu said that according to the vision of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, provincial as well as district governments have been taking consolidated steps for effective control of dengue as they did previous year.
He said that public awareness is an effective tool for dengue control.
Director General Health Dr Tanveer Ahmad, Director Health Lahore Division Dr Inamul Haq, Director Health (Headquarter) Dr Jamil Chaudhry, Dr Darkhsan Badar, Dr Ateequr Rehman and other officers also present.
Khalil Tahir Sindhu said that after worst dengue epidemic of 2011, due to the very effective strategy of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, coordinated efforts of government departments and health workers, enthusiastic participation of general public and a very vital role of mass media, the dengue disease was completely controlled, in a very short span of time.
He said that the efforts of Punjab government for dengue control were internationally acknowledged by the experts.
The minister further said that as per directions of the Chief Minister, effective and concerts steps are being taken by the government for dengue control and observing of anti-dengue day is one of the steps to create awareness among the masses so that the disease could not spread.
He said that dengue is also a social problem which could only be resolved by the full participation of the masses. He said that people should ensure a clean atmosphere in their houses, and remove the breeding sites of dengue in their premises.
He further said that anti-dengue day is being observed throughout the province and all possible steps are being taken for public awareness through distribution of pamphlets, seminar, walks and media awareness campaign.
Responding to a question, Khalil Tahir Sindhu said that dengue virus-I is reported in a patient in Lahore. He said that dengue virus-I is only dangerous for such patients who had already suffered from dengue fever. He hoped that, due to the effective arrangements of the government and full participation of the masses, dengue disease would be brought under control in this year too.
A walk was also held outside Civil Secretariat where the participants were informed that eradication of dengue is not possible through a temporary campaign but a vigorous and continuous movement. It was also informed that the Punjab government has allocated maximum resources for controlling dengue virus and is paying full attention to controlling the spread of this disease as well as provision of best treatment facilities to the patients.
The PML-N leader Waheed Alam Khan MNA, while addressing an awareness seminar regarding dengue fever at Nishter Town office, said that youngsters, NGOs and students should extend full cooperation to the government for eradicating dengue virus and join the going on awareness campaign in this regard.
Waheed Alam Khan said that boys and girls students can inform the society about preventive steps against dengue virus in a better way and positive results have been brought out after the participation of male and female students in the campaign against dengue fever.
The MNA directed the town administration to continue the efforts to remove debris and wastage from UCs located in rural areas. He said that every person of the society has to play its due role to eliminate dengue virus as the Punjab government is utilizing its all resources for this purpose.