TIMERGARA: Speakers at a seminar on health, hygiene and prevention of dengue said on Saturday that people of Malakand region, especially Swat, Shangla and Dir, were still exposed to dengue epidemic due to favourable temperature there during September and October.

They asked people from all walks of life to join hands for getting rid of dengue and other water-borne diseases by taking preventive measures.

The seminar was organised by Medicaid Institute of Medical Sciences at Chakdara with the financial support of Pakistan-US Alumni Network.

Heads of government and private schools, doctors, teachers, students and social workers attended the function.

Deputy medical superintendent of Saidu Group of Hospitals, Swat, Dr Iftikhar Khan told the seminar said that mosquitoes carrying viruses had been the most dangerous for human.

He said that a healthier society could only be created if cleanliness was ensured in schools, hospitals and their surroundings.

Call for educating people on preventive measures

He said that stagnant and open water provided breeding places for dengue virus.

“The easiest way of prevention from dengue is covering our bodies, water sources and cooking utensils,” Dr Khan said, adding that media should raise mass awareness of dengue and its prevention.

Dr Mohammad Adnan said that students could play active role in informing their families and friends of the dangers of dengue virus and its prevention. Dr Yousaf Khan spoke on laboratory hygiene and Dr Zain on oral hygiene.

They said that medical laboratories and dental clinics should also observe proper cleanliness.

They asked mediapersons to play an active role in creating awareness of dengue prevention among people. The experts said that all efforts should be directed towards elimination of larvae.

TEACHERS’ TRANSFER: Teachers of government schools on Saturday rejected the Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa government’s rationalisation policy, demanding cancellation of recent transfers of teachers in this regard.

Talking to mediapersons, the Malgari Ustazan and Ittehad-i-Asateza, Lower Dir, said that many male and female teachers had been transferred recently to far-flung areas in the name of rationalisation.

Sources in the education department said on contact that a total of 68 female teachers had been transferred and 50 of them had filed appeals against their transfers with the DEO (female). These appeals would be heard on merit, said a source.

According to the rationalisation policy, teachers from schools with low number of students could be adjusted in schools with high enrolment as per the policy of one teacher for 40 students.

Published in Dawn, August 31, 2014