Spray against dengue: educational institutions to be closed for 10 days

The Punjab government has decided that all schools and colleges in public and private sector in Lahore will remain closed for 10 days for completing spray and other arrangements against dengue virus. The educational institutions will undertake spray and necessary measures during this period while monitoring teams will supervise this process.
This was stated by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif while presiding over a meeting to review measures against dengue virus here on Tuesday, disclosed an official. Members National and Provincial Assemblies, Chairmen Town Committees, Secretaries of different departments, Commissioner and District Co-ordination Officer Lahore and experts were present at the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said in order to protect boy and girl students from dengue virus, all schools in public and private sector in Lahore will remain closed for 10 days. "All segments of society have been included in the ongoing drive against dengue virus and a vigorous campaign has also been launched for promoting public awareness regarding preventive measures against dengue," he added.
Issuing instructions for allocating all administrative offices of hospitals of Lahore for dengue patients, he directed that these instructions be implemented immediately. He further directed that a plan be evolved to drop pamphlets bearing preventive measures against dengue in the worst affected districts by aeroplane. He also directed that immediate steps be taken for importing machines from Germany and medicines from India, in accordance with the standard of World Health Organisation, and a special team be sent to India for this purpose. "In the light of the negotiations between the Punjab government and the owners of private hospitals, provision of free medical facilities for dengue patients in these hospitals be ensured and private hospitals should discharge their responsibilities in this regard," he added.
According to him, town committees should monitor provision of free medical facilities for dengue patients in private hospitals on regular basis. The hospitals of Punjab Employees Social Security Institution should also been included in the campaign against dengue virus. Machinery is available in the PESSI hospital in Raiwind, therefore the hospital should be allocated for providing treatment facilities to dengue patients. The special committee comprising assembly members should negotiate for providing diagnostic facilities to dengue patients in private laboratories at reasonable charges while stern action should be taken against the elements involved in the price-hike of mosquito repellents.
He welcomed setting up of 10 collection centres with the collaboration between Chughtai Lab and the Punjab government and added that it will result in the availability of free diagnostic facilities for the patients of dengue virus. "The power to conduct spray in the houses against dengue virus has been transferred to town committees and now it is their responsibility to ensure spray in the houses. Also, a team of Sri Lankan experts will reach on Wednesday to provide technical assistance to the Punjab government," he added.
Issuing instructions for the immediate suspension of the Medical Superintendent of Benazir Hospital Rawalpindi, he said doctors and paramedical staff serving the ailing humanity will be commended while those showing negligence in providing proper facilities to patients will not be spared.