Eradication of dengue virus: chief minister issues instructions to evolve training programme

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has on Friday made training for the eradication of dengue virus and treatment of dengue patients compulsory for doctors of private and trust hospitals and issued instructions for evolving a training programme for this purpose immediately.
He announced while addressing a meeting to review dengue situation in the province and measures for extermination of dengue virus, disclosed an official. The elected representatives, Chief Secretary, secretaries of various departments and experts were present.
He said private hospitals would bear training expenses itself whereas the government will extend co-operation to the doctors of trust hospitals in this regard. He also said that all the hospitals and departments would be duty bound to furnish a certificate regarding non-existence of dengue mosquito in their premises. "Larvae of dengue mosquito have also been found in graveyards, therefore, public awareness is being promoted in this regard and effective measures should be taken for its eradication. Certificates should be displayed prominently in those parks and important places where spray has been completed," he added.
According to him, all out measures are being taken for controlling dengue virus and provision of the best curative facilities to the dengue fever patients. A policy is being finalised for controlling dengue and other viral disease on permanent basis. Old and used tyres as well as those stored at open places have proved to be a major source of the growth of dengue mosquito; therefore, an action plan should be evolved and presented to him within three days regarding this trade.
He directed an effective system should be evolved for supervision of government, private and trusts hospitals, and the chairmen of town committees should pay regular visits to public and private sectors' hospitals for reviewing arrangements. "A plan should be evolved with the consultation of civil aviation authority for spray at airport lounges and other places and fogging and spray at these places be ensured for eradication of dengue larvae. Moreover, it should be made binding upon private educational institutions to arrange special lectures for promoting awareness regarding dengue virus and action be taken against those educational institutions that violate instructions in this regard," he added.
He appreciated the services of a young doctor of Lahore General Hospital, Ali Raza, regarding provision of treatment facilities to dengue patients by specially inviting him to the meeting. Earlier, the chairmen of town committees, secretaries of various departments, Commissioner and District Co-ordination Officer Lahore informed about the measures taken for eradication of dengue virus and treatment facilities being provided to the patients.