RAWALPINDI: Fearing a spike in dengue cases, Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to expedite anti-dengue activities besides taking effective steps for larviciding.

He issued these directions while presiding over a video-link meeting of divisional commissioners.

The chief secretary said monitoring, surveillance and reporting of dengue related activities should be improved.

Most of 33 cases confirmed since January this year reported from Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala, meeting told

He directed that special teams be constituted for monitoring of implementation of guidelines issued regarding dengue so that action could be taken against negligent officials. He said concerted efforts were needed to eradicate dengue once and for all.

“Awareness about dengue should be enhanced as people’s cooperation can be very helpful in efforts to control dengue. Relevant departments should play an active role in this regard,” he added.

He ordered that availability of healthcare facilities and trained doctors and nurses be ensured for dengue patients at the district and tehsil headquarters hospitals. Divisional commissioners were told to hold meetings at the district and tehsil level every week to review anti-dengue activities and submit reports.

He said surveillance teams should carry out ‘qualitative work’ as quality was more important than quantity, adding staff may also be hired, if required.

Secretary Primary Health Zahid Akhtar Zaman told the meeting that 33 dengue cases had been confirmed in the province since January this year, adding most of the cases had been reported from Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala.

He said a campaign had been launched to register HIV and hepatitis patients and a widespread screening was underway in the districts.

The meeting was attended by Prof Dr Faisal Masood, Divisional Commissioners of Lahore and Faisalabad, Deputy Commissioner Lahore and officers concerned while commissioners of Rawalpindi, Multan, Sargodha, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur participated through video conferencing.

Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Headquarter) Saima Younis stressed the need to focus attention on outdoor and indoor activities during the peak season.

No delay in DVR complaints will be tolerated and swift response is needed as a little delay can cost human life. She said regular surveillance should be carried out in godowns, graveyards, tyre shops, under-construction buildings and factories. Due to the rainy season, threat of dengue breading has increased so departments concerned are directed to ensure excavation of rainwater. Likewise, cutting of grass and wild bushes should also be ensured.

Ms Younis added that participation of the citizens in the campaign was very much needed as cleanliness was the basic entity for success of this campaign.

Reviewing the progress of departments from July 9 to 15, the meeting was briefed that so far five confirmed patients had been reported in the district of Rawalpindi.

Under indoor vector surveillance in the areas of Chaklala Cantonment Board, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, P0tohar Town (Urban) and Rawal town, a total 326 teams checked 70,166 houses out of which 458 were declared positive. Under the outdoor vector surveillance, a total of 219 teams visited 55,868 hotspots and found 34 spots positive and carried out operations there.

Assistant Commissioner (City) Naeem Afzal, CEO Health Dr Arshad, District Health Officer Dr Naveed Akram, DDHO Dr Zeeshan, focal person for anti-dengue programme Dr Sajjad and heads of allied departments were also present at the meeting.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2019