KARACHI, Oct 13: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Friday called for measures to cope with the outbreak of dengue fever, and directed the health department to ensure provision of kits used in the treatment in an adequate number.

Chairing a meeting at the Governor’s House, he ordered establishment of a special cell in the department to maintain a complete record of the dengue and other VHF cases.

He also called for special arrangements for fumigation and fogging in the areas from where such cases were being reported.

Secretary Health Prof Naushad Shaikh briefed the governor about the measures being taken in the wake of the outbreak of the disease.

Dr Ibad emphasised the need for taking more measures towards a public awareness campaign as well as and fumigation to eliminate mosquitoes, believed to be responsible for the outbreak.

He said that besides preventive steps, a drive to educate people about the adverse effects of antibiotics in treating such cases must be launched.

The meeting was told that the federal government, as well as WHO and other organisations, was extending due cooperation to the local authorities in coping with the situation.

Earlier, the meeting reviewed the project of the Institute of Urological Diseases, established at the Karachi University.

The project will be completed in November this year at a cost of Rs120 million.

Dr Shaikh apprised the governor of the progress achieved so far in this regard, saying that 90 per cent work on the establishment of the institute had been completed. The institute would have the capacity of conducting as many as 100 dialysis at a time and this would be a major facility in the city, he added.

The secretary said that the institute would also have teaching and research facilities.

The meeting was attended by Prof S. A. Jaffery of the Kidney Foundation, Dr Manzoor Ahmed and Justice (r) S. A. Sarwana.

—APP