A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Dengue Prevention, Infectious Diseases and Disaster Management was held today at the Civil Secretariat in Lahore today, chaired by Provincial Minister for Specialized Healthcare Khawaja Salman Rafique and Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman.
During the meeting, the committee decided to impose a health emergency in Rawalpindi in light of the rising dengue cases in the district.
It was decided that special attention will be given to the clinical management of dengue patients to minimize the mortality rate.The technical group was directed to investigate the causes of deaths due to dengue and the severity of the disease among patients under treatment in Rawalpindi.
Addressing the meeting, Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique directed that if public hospitals in Rawalpindi face capacity issues, arrangements should be made for the treatment of dengue patients in private hospitals.
He also directed the technical group to submit a report after determining the reasons for the deaths and severity of the disease in Rawalpindi due to dengue.Khawaja Salman Rafique also directed to launch a special awareness campaign on dengue.
Participating the meeting via video link, Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir said that an action plan for the next month should be prepared to control dengue.
He said that due to better surveillance, the dengue situation in Lahore is under control.He also warned that there is a risk of an increase in cases in Rawalpindi,and departments must remain alert.
The Chief Secretary directed to enhance the capacity of public hospitals in Rawalpindi for the better treatment of dengue patients.He assured that all necessary resources will be provided to ensure the availability of medicines and essential facilities in hospitals.
He emphasized the importance of having accurate data to control dengue effectively.He said that after analyzing the data, a more effective plan of action can be devised.
Secretary of Primary Health Nadia Saqib and Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi gave a detailed briefing to the meeting.During the meeting it was reported that 1,724 confirmed dengue cases and seven deaths have been recorded in the province so far this year.
The meeting was informed that in response to the increase in cases, 29 private hospitals in Rawalpindi have been designated as alternative arrangements.
Additionally, 142 private clinics have been sealed for not reporting dengue patients.The divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners of Rawalpindi and Faisalabad attended via video link.
