Formation of 'expert advisory core group' on dengue approved

Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has accorded approval to the formation of 'expert advisory core group' on dengue. The group comprising senior doctors and experts will be completely independent and will look after the matters regarding eradication of dengue virus, research and training of doctors.
The chief minister was presiding over a meeting to review measures for dengue control, here Monday. The CM said that solid measures are being taken for the eradication of dengue virus and a strategy has also been evolved for meeting this challenge in future as well. He said that formation of the advisory core group is an important step and Sri Lanka expert, Dr Farnando will also be a member of the group to be headed by Professor Dr Faisal Masood.
He said that health help-line has been playing an important role in the campaign against dengue virus through providing proper guidance to the people and dengue patients. He directed the secretary health to submit recommendation within the next three days for setting up of the health help-line on permanent basis.
Shahbaz informed that Punjab government has decided to launch a vigorous campaign against quacks and fake 'hakims' as no one would be allowed to play with precious human lives. Issuing instructions for collecting the data of registered and authentic homeopaths and hakims, he directed the additional chief secretary to submit recommendations within next two days after looking into the method of treatment of homeopaths, adding it should also be checked how many allopathic medicines being used by them.
He apprised that the health commission has started working and former Justice, Aamir Raza Khan has been selected as its head. He said that profiteering at this hour of trial is out of question, therefore, health department should submit a report after reviewing the performance of drips manufacturing companies and their prices.
Appreciating the special campaign launched by Secretary Local Government for cleanliness and fogging and spray in graveyards ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the CM said that it will save a large number of people, who visit the graves of their loved ones on Eid, from dengue.
Taking notice of the charging of slip fee and asking the patients to bring syringes for blood test at filter clinic Bilal Gunj, he directed secretary health to take stern action against the persons responsible. He made it clear that free treatment facilities are being extended to dengue virus patients in all hospitals and those violating these instructions deserve no leniency. He directed director general and executive district officer health to pay regular visits to dispensaries and filter clinics to address such complaints.
Shahbaz termed that establishment of Punjab Bloodline System an important step towards provision of healthy blood to the patients and more than 10 thousand donors have got themselves registered at special camps for donating blood, which is highly commendable.
Earlier, secretary health gave a detailed briefing regarding dengue situation in the province, efforts for controlling the virus, deaths, number of dengue patients as well as other matters. He informed that no death occurred due to dengue virus on Sunday and the number of dengue patients visiting hospitals has also decreased substantially. He said that a special seminar was arranged regarding authentic and registered homeopaths and hakims for promoting awareness about dengue, adding that 686 homeopaths and 237 hakims attended the event. He said that training of doctors and nurses is also continuing.
Commissioner Lahore and secretaries of environment, education and food departments apprised the meeting of the performance of their departments regarding the elimination of dengue virus. Members of National and provincial assemblies, secretaries of various department and experts were present on the occasion.