Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has given approval to Research and Development Programme for Dengue Punjab and directed to establish an independent and autonomous authority for this purpose. A special committee headed by Chief Secretary will formulate its recommendations and submit it within next few days in this regard.
The approval was given in a meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif held to review the implementation of a strategy evolved for eradication of dengue in the province, here on Sunday. Member National Assembly Saood Majeed, Member Provincial Assembly Khawaja Salman Rafique, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of Agriculture, Health and Education also attended the meeting. Entomologist Dr Wasim Akram gave a detailed briefing regarding Research and Development Programme for Dengue Punjab and its important features.
Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said that Punjab government took timely and effective initiatives for eradication of dengue and the campaign against dengue was launched as a movement. He appreciated the role of elected representatives, government departments, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff during this movement. He said that the mortality rate was controlled to a large extent with the blessings of Almighty Allah and the efforts of doctors and nurses. He said that dengue was a new epidemic in the country especially in Punjab and the persons affiliated with medical sector had not more knowledge and awareness about it. He said that our doctors and nurses got awareness and expertise about this disease in a shortest time with the assistance of Sri Lankan and Indonesian experts and saved thousands of lives by serving patients round the clock. He said that dengue stayed in those countries for decades where it attacked.
He said that countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore have been facing this virus for a long time and these countries have taken steps for its eradication on permanent basis. He disclosed that a long-term strategy has been evolved to cope with this virus and the cabinet has also given its formal approval. He said that under this policy, measures would be taken in 36 districts of the province for controlling this virus in future and High Dependency Units would be set up in the hospitals. He said that initiatives for combating this virus have been started now and the special teams are working for vector control. He said that the implementation on the policy evolved for eradication of dengue is being reviewed regularly. He said that Research and Development Programme for Dengue Punjab is also being launched in which research would have special importance which will not only help eliminate dengue and other viral diseases but a co-ordinated system of research would also be evolved.
He directed that an independent and autonomous authority be set up for running this programme and recommendations regarding establishment of authority be submitted at the earliest keeping in view various aspects of briefing given in this regard.
Earlier, Entomologist Dr Wasim Akram gave a detailed briefing regarding Research and Development Programme for Dengue Punjab. He informed that this programme is of great importance for eradication of dengue, which will not only help in controlling dengue but also other epidemic diseases in the province. He said that this programme will be of international standard and best scientists and experts will be included in it. He said that main focus will be laid on research in this programme. The participants of the meeting also gave their suggestions regarding Research and Development Programme for Dengue Punjab and setting up of an independent and autonomous authority for this purpose.