RAWALPINDI: An anti-dengue awareness campaign was launched in the district on Wednesday on directives from the Punjab government. All the departments of the City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) and cantonment boards arranged walks to raise awareness and prevent the spread of the dengue virus.

NGO representatives, heads of educational institutions, elected local government representatives and students participated in an awareness walk in Muslim Town, supported by the social welfare department.

Speaking at a seminar held at the Government Girls College Muslim Town, MPA Raja Mohammad Hanif emphasised the need for jointly-collaborated efforts to raise awareness about preventive measures against the dengue virus.

He said the Anti-Dengue Cabinet Committee is active in the province, and all the segments of society have been engaged in activities to raise awareness about dengue fever. He said the government is vigilant, and all the possible measures will be taken to check dengue larvae and mosquito breeding spots.

PML-N Rawalpindi Vice President Mirza Mansoor Baig acknowledged the efforts of the CDGR and the social welfare department in organising various activities to highlight dengue fever.

Rawalpindi Senior District Social Welfare Officer Aslam Maitla said the department has devised various programmes to address the prevalence of dengue. The social welfare officer, Shahzad Amir Shah, also spoke on dengue precautions.

Separately, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) organised a seminar in connection with dengue awareness at the Cantonment General Hospital on Wednesday.

RCB Executive Officer Dr Saima Shah, Vice President Raja Jahandad and elected members of the cantonment board spoke at the event.

Dr Shah said that RCB has initiated efforts alongside the Punjab government and the CDGR. “Dengue has become a major issue which we should wage a war on [together] to eradicate it completely,” she said.

She told participants that dengue larvae has been found in houses where water mains are choked, in water tanks, used and old tyres, water-filled and uncovered utensils and accumulated rainwater.

However, she added that the RCB management is utilising all its resources to eradicate the disease, including clearing away standing water, nullahs, carrying out spraying indoors and outdoors, conducting daily door-to-door surveillance and improving the drainage system.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2016