LAHORE, Nov 13: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said at least 98 per cent of Lahore’s territory faced dengue virus during the epidemic and doctors, nurses and paramedics have rendered a great service. Also thanks to the timely help of the foreign experts, he said, the virus was significantly controlled. Speaking at a certificate-distribution ceremony at the Allama Iqbal Medical College on Sunday, the chief minister remarked: “Had we shown even half the passion during the last 64 years, the country would not have been plunged into darkness.” The ceremony was organised by the Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians to distribute certificates among the family physicians and other doctors who had completed dengue-specific training and management course introduced by the Punjab Health Department. Shahbaz said Sri Lankan dengue expert Dr Fernando had termed the services of local health providers impressive. He said owing to the tireless efforts of the local medical experts, the death rate remained very low. The Punjab government, he said, had taken steps to cope with the virus during the next year. The chief minister said 110 doctors were being sent to Thailand on Dec 5 for training and on their return they would impart training as master trainers to other doctors in various cities. He appreciated the role of the general practitioners and family physicians in treating dengue patients. He said the government had adopted a coordinated strategy for fighting dengue virus and the process of spray and survey was conducted in graveyards, parks, gardens, hospitals, hotels and other places for eliminating larvae. He expressed grief over the deaths due to dengue but said the death toll would have been much higher in case of the Punjab government’s failure to take practical steps. The chief minister said dengue management course for 750 doctors conducted by the PAFP was a welcoming step. PAFP President Dr Tariq Mehmood said the chief minister’s encouragement would boost the morale of the general practitioners and family physicians. He also gave some proposals to effectively fight dengue in future.