RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Chief Secretary Punjab Capt Zahid Saeed (retd) has directed Deputy Commissioners to improve mechanism for dengue surveillance and reporting, saying that surveillance teams should focus on quality of work.

While addressing a meeting regarding dengue control, here on Friday, the Chief Secretary said, “Now it is time to cope with dengue. All departments should extend full cooperation in anti-dengue activities. Concerted efforts are needed to eradicate dengue once and for all.”

He ordered Health department that for better patient management training be given to doctors of private hospitals and these clinics be linked with the nearby government hospital.

He directed the Secretary Housing that private housing societies be held accountable if guidelines on dengue are not implemented within their boundaries.

He also issued instructions regarding speeding up process of recruitment of entomologists besides recruitment of staff in districts if required. Provincial Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique said that there is need to work with national spirit for eradicating dengue.

He said that awareness regarding dengue should be enhanced as people’s cooperation is of significant importance in the efforts to control dengue. He mentioned that all departments should play active role in this regard. Expressing dissatisfaction over performance of Sargodha and Jhang, the minister directed both these districts to improve performance.