Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif formally launched Punjab government's facebook page at University of Lahore to promote public awareness for the eradication of dengue virus, here Friday. The face book page has been given the title of Shahbaz Sharif Anti-dengue Community through which people especially students will be mobilised in the campaign against dengue virus.
The face book contains preventive measures against the virus and the steps taken by Punjab government against this menace. Addressing the ceremony, the chief minister said that launching of the facebook page will help mobilise young generation in strengthening the efforts for curbing dengue virus. He said that awareness campaign for the eradication of dengue virus is continuing vigorously and participation of youth and students in the drive will be encouraging. He said that young generation, which is a precious asset as well as the guarantee of a bright future of Pakistan, is playing a vanguard role in the war against dengue virus. He said that through the facebook, more useful information would be available to the youth and the entire community will be able to participate in the drive against dengue.
He said that informative material is also being distributed in educational institutions for apprising the students of the preventive measures against dengue virus and it is being made a compulsory subject of syllabus. He said that students and youth should come forward for promoting awareness in the people through paying door-to-door visits. He said that students and youth will have to support the efforts of the government in promoting public awareness against dengue virus so that a healthy society could be set up in the country by eliminating viral diseases.
Shahbaz said that an effective mechanism has been adopted for eradication of dengue and treatment of patients and the facebook is an effective source of promoting public awareness against this menace. He appreciated the services of Mustafa Hasnain who has developed the facebook page.
He said that dengue virus is found everywhere including houses, parks, government offices, shops and the efforts of government for its eradication will prove fruitful only if the entire society took an active part in this campaign. He said that Indonesia has been fighting this menace for the last 50 years, Sri Lanka for 30 years and Thailand for half a century while Pakistan is beset with this problem for the last five years. He said that Punjab government is making determined efforts against the disease from the very beginning and everything humanly possible is being done for coping with this challenge.
The chief minister expressed hope that with the grace of Allah Almighty and the tireless efforts of elected representatives, institutions concerned and all segments of the society, the problem will be overcome in a shorter period than other countries. He said that there is a need to fight dengue virus and not to be afraid of it. He said that experts have described dengue as a social problem, therefore, all members of the society will have to play their role for curbing dengue virus and bring about a change in their lifestyle.
He said that Punjab government is working on war footing to control this virus and besides measures for its eradication, the best curative facilities have been provided to the patients. He said that medicines and machinery have been imported by air so that people could be extended proper treatment without wastage of time. He expressed his gratitude to the governments and people of Sri Lanka and Indonesia for sending their experts to Pakistan at this moment of trial. He said that after Sri Lankan medical team, the experts of brotherly Islamic country, Indonesia are currently helping in eradication of dengue virus.
He said that not much information was available earlier about dengue virus and curative measures for this disease and the Sri Lankan and Indonesian experts provided technical assistance in this regard and now high dependency units have been set up in teaching hospitals. He added that a solid strategy has been adopted for fogging, spray and elimination of dengue larvae. He revealed that doctors of Children Hospital during his visit had openly acknowledged that lives of more than 54 children were saved with the grace of Allah Almighty and assistance of Sri Lankan experts.
Addressing the ceremony, the head of Indonesian technical team Dr Rita stressed the need for collective efforts for controlling dengue virus. She also appreciated the steps of Punjab government in this regard. She further said that launching of the facebook page by the students of University of Lahore is a commendable step, which will help promote public awareness against dengue virus in an effective manner.