LAHORE – The present state of preparedness will help check dengue outbreak in the Punjab especially in Lahore even after monsoon. These views were expressed by Sri Lankan dengue experts during a meeting with Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique on Monday.
The Lankan experts are in Lahore on the invitation of the chief minister for providing technical assistance and training to the local doctors and epidemiologists. Punjab Health Secretary Arif Nadeem, Additional Health Secretary (Tech) Dr Anwar Janjua, Additional Director General Vector Born Diseases Dr Jaffar Ilyas and Incharge Chief Minister Dengue Research Cell Prof Waseem Akram were also present in the meeting.
The Lankan delegation includes Sri Lankan Chief Entomologist Dr Paba, Clinical Management Expert Dr Weeraman and Dengue Epidemiologist Consultant Dr Tissera. The Lankan experts observed that local dengue experts and doctors had enhanced and updated their knowledge and clinical experience during a period of one year.
They said that the chief minister’s effective strategy for controlling the dengue and solid steps taken by the government departments of Punjab would enable them combat this challenge in a successful manner.  During the meeting, the situation of dengue in the Punjab particularly in Lahore was discussed in detail. The experts of both sides exchange views on vector surveillance, larviciding and arrangements for public awareness campaign.
Later, the Lankan experts visited the Directorate General Health Punjab and Institute of Public Health where they discussed matters relating to training, capacity-building of staff, dengue surveillance and control plan. During four-day stay in Lahore, the Lankan experts will hold several meetings with the government officials and they will also visit different teaching hospitals. They will also hold a meeting with the Dengue Expert Advisory Group for preparing clinical management plan for the treatment of dengue patients.