Concerted efforts stressed to control vector-borne diseases

LAHORE

Collective, consolidated and uniform efforts are required across the country to control vector-borne diseases like dengue and Zika virus which spread through a mosquito and for this purpose inter-provincial conference would be arranged very soon. 

These views were expressed by Adviser on Health Kh Salman Rafique while addressing an inaugural session of a five-day international training and consultative workshop on vector-borne diseases, especially Zika virus at a local hotel, according to a handout issued on Monday. Punjab government, World Health Organization and University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, have jointly organised the workshop. Besides, the experts from all the provinces of the country, Gilgit Baltistan, AJK, foreign delegates from Iran, Afghanistan, EMRO region countries, Cairo and other parts of the world are participating in the workshop. Ms Shaista Pervez Malik, MNA, head of chief minister dengue research cell Prof Waseem Akram, Dr Qutbuddin Kakar from Islamabad, entomologists, Public Health Experts, member dengue experts advisory group Dr Somiya Iqtidar, Additional Director General Dengue Control Programme Dr Fayyaz Butt and other officers of Primary and Secondary Health Department were present in the session. 

During five days workshop the participants will exchange their knowledge and experience and the experts of WHO will impart training to the local entomologists and public health experts regarding vector born diseases especially Zika virus is the common vector for spreading of dengue as well as Zika virus. The participants of the workshop would also visit agriculture university, Faisalabad and spend a day there.

While appreciating holding the training and consultative workshop, Kh Salman Rafique hoped that this workshop will go a long way in sensitising and creating awareness among the local experts and for understanding methodology to control Zika. He revealed that after this international workshop an inter-provincial conference of the experts would be organised in the coming month to evolve a joint and comprehensive strategy to combat these challenges of vector born disease on national level. The experts were of the view that since the vector of dengue and Zika virus is the same-dengue mosquito, therefore, if out-door and indoor surveillance for dengue would be excellent, the threat of spreading Zika would automatically minimise. They said WHO has already issued global health emergency against Zika virus in Feb 2016. Though, the Zika virus is not found in Pakistan so far but this disease is fast growing in some parts of the world. The most affected segment of society from Zika are the pregnant women, if the mosquito bites a pregnant woman, the virus directly affect the neonatal and infant born with neurological disorders and small head. This is a permanent disability. The experts disclosed that so far no vaccine or particular medicines produced for Zika treatment. The focal person of the workshop and Head of Chief Minister Dengue Research cell Prof Waseem Akram said the training workshop would enable the local entomologists and epidemiologists to take effective measures before time against this vector born disease incase Zika virus reported in Pakistan in coming future.

GCU play: The Garret Historical Society, Government College staged “Khoj”, a short play. The play highlights the perplexing existential crisis faced by the youth at the crossroads of the insatiate past and the uncertain future. 

The story and screenplay of the play was created by Behzad Ahmad Malkera while Abbas Ranjha directed and produced the film. 

The film is a dialogue between two characters caught in the maze of the endless possibilities in the maze of life. The male character played by Syed Razi-ul-Hassan sets off for the journey of discovering not just what lies ahead but to discover himself, yet the fear of the unknown and the fright of possible failure fills his flight with doubt. 

The female character played by Takreema Aurooj through stirring dialogue, no less than poetry, calms his demons and fills his hollow wings with confidence and conviction before he sets on this expedition. The play was beautifully written and the writer condensed what could have been hours of philosophical iteration, into eight minutes of intensely engaging experience for all those who watched.