Exterminating dengue virus: bureaucratic formalities should not be allowed to impede process: chief minister Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has stressed upon provincial ministers, advisors, elected representatives and secretaries to set aside their official status and strive like ordinary workers for eliminating dengue virus and serving the ailing humanity.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting regarding elimination of dengue virus and the steps taken to cope with this problem here on Friday, disclosed an official. Members National and provincial Assemblies, chairmen of town committees, secretaries of various departments and experts were present.
The CM said bureaucratic formalities should not be allowed to impede the process of exterminating dengue virus and the required machinery and other material available anywhere should be airlifted for the provision of better medical facilities to the people. "Private laboratories should not consider the natural calamity of dengue virus as an opportunity for profiteering. The government will not hesitate from any action if the blood testing charges were not made affordable to the poor people. A long term policy is being evolved to eradicate dengue virus and a special cadre is being set up for this purpose," he added.
He directed that a separate chapter be included in the syllabus from class one regarding protection from dengue virus and other preventive measures. He said eight filter clinics would start functioning at various places in the provincial metropolis for which modern machines have been brought from Karachi by air. He said due to rush of patients in the major hospitals of Lahore, air-conditioned camps be set up in their lawns for providing medical facilities to the patients; a plan in this regard should immediately be given a final shape and its implementation should be started. "The co-operation being extended by the private hospitals in providing free treatment to the dengue patients is commendable. However, those private hospitals which are not providing free of cost medical facilities to such patients should discharge their responsibility in this regard and allocate beds for providing free treatment to the poor and deserving patients," he added.
When the attention of the Chief Minister was drawn to the fact that private laboratories were charging exorbitant fees for blood test, he said private laboratories should realise their responsibility and serve the ailing humanity instead of indulging in profiteering. He said a committee comprising elected representatives and health department officials should negotiate with the owners of private laboratories and fix the rate of these tests.
He said since dengue virus is a viral disease and there is a need for evolving short and long term planning for its control, therefore, a special taskforce headed by the Punjab Chief Secretary has started working and steps will be taken in the light of its recommendations for curbing viral diseases. He said complete data should be collected regarding dengue fever so that future strategy could be evolved for its control. "A Sri Lankan medical team is working with the health department and full benefit should be taken from its technical assistance and master trainers should also be prepared with its help so that they could perform their future responsibilities regarding control of dengue virus in an effective manner," he added.
According to him, media should be fully informed about the facts and it should be taken along in the drive against dengue. It should also cooperate with the government in promoting public awareness and also point out shortcomings of the government. Moreover, including a chapter in the syllabus regarding dengue virus is of vital importance and the Secretary Education should take immediate steps in this regard.
"Solid waste management department is removing heaps of garbage from the surroundings of the hospitals and various areas of the city. However, stern action should be taken against such contractors, which have failed to lift the rubble from the construction sites. No laxity should be shown in this regard, as debris also results in growth of mosquitoes causing dengue fever," He added.
He said schools have been closed so that their administrations could complete fogging and other preventive measures against dengue, and town committees will issue certificates of spray and other arrangements in schools. He directed that stern action should also be taken against private housing societies, which have not undertaken spray. "A report be submitted to him on daily basis regarding the areas worst affected by dengue virus. Provincial ministers and advisors should also pay visits to districts and work round the clock for eradication of this menace," he added.