Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that all resources are being utilised for eradication of dengue virus. Medicines and equipment are imported by air for ensuring provision of best medical facilities to the patients without any loss of time, he added. He said that steps for eradication of dengue are being taken on permanent basis.
He said that co-operation of the people in this regard is of great importance. We will have to change our lifestyle and keep our houses and surroundings clean, he added. He was presiding over a meeting held to review the steps taken for eradication of dengue here on Saturday. Members National and Provincial Assemblies, Chief Secretary, secretaries of various departments and experts of Sri Lankan medical team attended the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the training of doctors and nurses for eradication of dengue virus is of great importance and the training process has been started by evolving a comprehensive system of training for this purpose. He disclosed that about 1,100 doctors and nurses have got training in these training programmes in various districts of the province so far.
He said that normally people visit to general practitioners near to their houses, therefore, training for these doctors should also be arranged and an effective system be adopted for checking the quality of training. He said that consultants are visiting private and charity hospitals regularly and examining the dengue patients.
He said that due to this step not only the best treatment and diagnostic facilities are becoming available to the patients but also on their advice, complicated patients are being shifted to the teaching hospitals. He directed Director General Health to visit other districts of the province affected by dengue and review the steps taken for elimination of larvae of dengue mosquito. He said that besides holding seminars and discussions, informative material and CDs are also being distributed.
He directed Commissioner that the garbage once removed from the places could not be let accumulated there again and an effective system should be evolved for this purpose. He directed Secretary Food that checking of hotels and restaurants should be made regularly and preventive measures taken for eradication of dengue virus reviewed there.
He directed Secretary Education to ensure special period regarding awareness of dengue in private schools. The Chief Minister called for a young doctor of Mayo Hospital Dr Muzaffar Memon in the meeting and appreciated his services for properly looking after the complicated dengue patients.
Earlier, chairmen of town committees, secretaries of various departments, Commissioner and District Co-ordination Officer Lahore informed about the details of steps taken for provision of the best medical facilities to the dengue patients and eradication of dengue virus. Chief Secretary informed about the distribution of financial assistance to the heirs of those who died due to dengue. Secretary Food informed the meeting that nine teams have started checking of hotels, restaurants and other eateries and inspected 278 hotels and restaurants on Friday. He said that entomologists are also being included in these teams.