Stringent measures have been taken to eradicate dengue mosquitoes and provide treatment to dengue fever patients in hospitals, Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema said during his visit to Mayo Hospital on Friday.
He said that diagnostic and treatment facilities were being provided free of cost. He requested citizens to play an active role to check the breeding of dengue mosquitoes.
The chief secretary spoke to the hospital attendants and inquired after the patients’ health.
Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Health Special Secretary Babar Hayat Tarar, King Edward Medical University Vice Chancellor Faisal Masood, Information Secretary Momin Ali Agha, Health Director General Zahid Pervaiz and Dr Tahir Khalil, the focal person on dengue, were present at the occasion.
Cheema urged citizens not to allow water to accumulate in their houses. He spoke to dengue fever patients about the medical facilities provided to them. The patients expressed their satisfaction over the free treatment.
The chief secretary also inquired about the health of two young men who were injured during zanjeer zani and were being treated in the Emergency Ward. He reviewed the emergency treatment facilities at the hospital.
Cheema inquired about the indoor dengue surveillance teams responsible for eradicating dengue mosquitoes and creating awareness at Gulshan Ravi Bund Road.
The chief secretary reviewed the performance of indoor dengue teams comprising nursing students and appreciated their performance. He said that they were on duty despite the holiday on 10th Muharram … that was a great service to humanity.
LWMC cleans up plots
The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has cleaned up 981 open plots across the city during its recent anti-dengue campaign and transported 29,214 tonnes of waste to a dumpsite.
The operations were carried out in all towns and rural areas, where open plots had been turned into garbage dumps.
The LWMC responded to 56 plot clearance complaints received on its helpline (1139) as well as 17 other complaints registered by the special branch. Around 4,665 waste disposal containers in the city have been sprayed with pesticide.
The LWMC also conducted community mobilisation and awareness activities at educational institutions, dengue-affected residential areas and markets to sensitise citizens regarding preventive measures.
According to the company spokesperson, a cleanliness and dengue awareness campaign will be initiated next week in residential areas adjacent to Sattukatla Drain, Cant Drain, Khizarabad Drain, Shahdara Drain, Shalimar Drain and Chota Upper Ravi Drain.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2013.