'Sincere efforts being made to eradicate dengue'

Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that sincere and dedicated efforts are being made for the eradication of dengue virus and elected representatives, officers and experts are working as a team for coping with this challenge and serving the ailing humanity as ordinary social workers.
He said that though it is a difficult task but dengue virus will soon be brought under control with the co-operation of experts and the masses. He said that the committee headed by the chief secretary is finalising its recommendations speedily for evolving a short, medium and long-term policy in this regard. He was presiding over a meeting to review the pace of ongoing campaign for rooting out dengue virus, here Friday.
The chief minister said that all out efforts are being made for curbing dengue virus and preparations have already been started for coping with this problem next year. He said that a trained workforce and technology is of vital importance for elimination of dengue virus and the experiences and expertise of Sri Lankan and now Indonesian medical teams are being fully availed for this purpose. He said that fogging and spray is being vigorously carried out in all towns with the help of town committees. He said that fogging campaign is also in progress in parks, playgrounds, private housing societies, bus stands, railway stations, graveyards, plazas and other places.
He further said that used imported tyres as well as those stored at open places are a major source of the growth of dengue larvae, therefore, a one-month ban under Section 144 has been imposed on their transportation from the provincial metropolis so that possible spread of dengue virus to other cities could be checked.
He directed that in addition to spray at the godowns of tyres, a comprehensive strategy be evolved and presented to him regarding this business in the province so that elimination of dengue virus from godowns of tyres and preventive measures could be ensured. He said that chairmen of town committees should pay regular visits to government hospitals, private trust hospitals and dispensaries and fully encourage these hospitals as are showing outstanding performance in the treatment of dengue patients.