ISLAMABAD: Health authorities informed the Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division Barrister Usman Ibrahim on Thursday that only one dengue patient has been confirmed in Islamabad.

An official statement said the information was provided at a briefing at the CAAD Ministry, apparently held to clarify the alarming reports that seven persons were suspected to have been struck down by the dengue during the current season.

On learning that the three-year dengue prevention programme started in 2011 ended in June 2014, the minister stressed that dengue can only be eradicated with good coordination between different departments.

He instructed to form coordination and review committee under the supervision of Additional Secretary CADD to continue the programme.

“Mutual trainings regarding dengue awareness and prevention should be arranged for the technical and professional health staff of hospitals,” he added.

CADD, the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration, the Capital Development Authority and the hospitals were involved in the previous Rs31 million programme.

A PC I has been initiated for funding the programme in the new financial year that began in July.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2014