Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said apart from ensuring cleanliness in streets, parks, houses and other places, the government will also make a new legislation in order to eradicate dengue virus from the province. He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting held with regard to reviewing the ongoing campaign for eradication of dengue virus, here on Saturday, disclosed an official.
Members of National and provincial Assembly, secretaries of various departments and experts also attended the meeting. Addressing the meeting, he said a vigorous campaign is being launched for creating awareness among the masses about cleanliness. "People would be apprised of the importance of the cleanliness by visiting homes, streets, mohallas and shops and all segments of the society will be included in this campaign. Besides the government's efforts for coping with the challenge of dengue virus, people will also have to play their effective role in this regard," he added.
He said that besides steps taken for controlling the virus, provision of every possible best medical and other facility are being ensured for dengue patients and medicines and machinery are being imported. He also directed to set up field hospitals on temporary basis for providing treatment facilities to dengue patients. More than 100 dispensaries are currently working.
"These dispensaries will not only provide treatment facilities to the dengue patients but also continue providing treatment facilities in future as a result of which best medical facilities would be available to the masses near their houses," he added. He further said the process of recruiting 1000 nurses is continued and 624 nurses have been recruited so far and deputed in various hospitals whereas paramedical staff is also being recruited on emergent basis. He said that a team comprising six doctors from Indonesia is expected to arrive in the city shortly.
He directed that the services of private hospitals providing free medical facilities to the dengue patients should be appreciated and a comprehensive system of monitoring should be evolved in this regard. Earlier, the Punjab Health Secretary, Chairmen Town Committees, Commissioner Lahore and experts informed the meeting about the implementation of action plan and ongoing campaign to eradication dengue virus.