LAHORE: Speakers particularly foreign experts lauded the steps taken by the Punjab government for overcoming dengue effectively during International Dengue Conference held at Aiwan-e-Iqbal on Saturday.

Special Assistant Khawaja Salman Rafique, Perviaz Malik, members assembly, expert doctors from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia, secretaries of concerned departments, doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, spray men, volunteers who took part in anti-dengue campaign and citizens were present on the occasion.

Head of the Sri Lankan experts team, Dr Fernando said “Last year, Lahore was in a grip of fear due to dengue but the Punjab government played a leading role and we are forced to say that we had come here to impart training but now we have come here to learn that how people of Punjab controlled dengue effectively in such a short period.”

Another expert from Sri Lanka Dr Tesira said that cases of dengue were increasing throughout the world but had reduced in Punjab and its credit goes to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

A lady expert from Thailand Dr Suchitra, who is called “Princess of Dengue” expressing her views, said that Pakistanis are really a courageous nation. She congratulated Shahbaz Sharif over the success in war against dengue.

The chief minister, speaking on the occasion, said that dengue has been controlled effectively this year, but war against dengue will continue till its complete eradication.

Sharif said that there were 21,000 dengue patients last year and about 252 deaths were occurred but this year only 252 patients had been reported and no death was occurred.

The CM appreciated the performance of all those who took part in anti-dengue campaign including heads of all departments, staff, police, administration, information department.

He also distributed commendatory certificates among the officers and officials of various departments who showed best performance during anti-dengue campaign.