Stakeholders urged to play role in curbing dengue

LAHORE: Provincial Health Minister Kh Salman Rafique said that dengue virus controlling measures is not the responsibility of a single department but all the stakeholders. The field staff will have to be mobilised to deal with the challenge of dengue. Even before the dengue season, the Punjab govt is making basic strategies.

The provincial health minister expressed these views while presiding over a technical working group meeting on dengue virus at the Institute of Public Health on Tuesday. In the meeting, Dean Institute of Public Health Prof Dr Zarfashan Tahir, Additional Secretary Technical Department of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr Younis, Dr Jamshed from WHO, Dr Yadullah, Dr Anjum and other officers including Prof Waseem Akram, Qutbuddin Kakar and Dr M Amjad participated through video link conference.

Provincial Health Ministers Kh Salman Rafique and Kh Imran Nazir, during the meeting, reviewed the present situation of dengue virus throughout the province. Prof Dr Zarfashan Tahir and related officers briefed the provincial health ministers.

Kh Salman Rafique said that the purpose of calling the meeting today is to get useful suggestions of experts for the prevention of dengue virus. Currently, many countries of the world are suffering from dengue virus but the spread of dengue virus had been controlled to a large extent due to govt efforts. Kh Imran Nazir said that all experts should compile their opinions for the prevention of dengue virus. All departments have to work hard to tackle the challenge of dengue. He said that strict action will be taken on bogus performance in the field.

Meanwhile, Kh Salman Rafique and Kh Imran Nazir presided over a meeting in Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority. On this occasion, Deputy Secretary Hamad ul Rab, Secretary Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority Dr Abdul Rehman, Prof Shabnam Bashir, Dr Maria Khan and Dr. Hussain Jafri was present. The provincial health ministers reviewed the performance of Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority during the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Kh Salman said that the conditions of the blood banks of govt hospitals of Punjab have to be improved. Supply of safe blood during treatment in govt hospitals is the fundamental right of every patient. Conditions of blood banks are also being reviewed by visiting govt hospitals and the blood banks that are illegal and play with human lives will not be allowed to operate in Punjab. Kh Imran said that there is an urgent need to increase the capacity of Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority.