Punjab Health Ministers Call For Emergency Measures To Curb Dengue Spread Amid Recent Rains

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2025) In light of the recent spell of monsoon rains, Punjab Health Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Khawaja Imran Nazir have stressed the need for immediate and emergency measures to prevent the spread of dengue across the province. The ministers issued these directives while presiding over the 8th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Infectious Diseases, including Dengue and Disaster Management, held at the Department of Health and Population on Saturday.

During the meeting, officials reviewed the current dengue situation across Punjab and the ongoing preventive measures. Both ministers emphasized that field operations must be intensified, particularly in high-risk areas, and directed that staff from Population Welfare Clinics be assigned to support anti-dengue teams in vulnerable localities.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that on the special instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, surveillance of the dengue situation is being closely monitored across the province. He urged cooperative housing societies to stay proactive and ensure that water does not accumulate at construction sites. He also stressed that implementation of decisions made in dengue meetings must be guaranteed by the secretaries of all relevant departments, stating that dengue cannot be eradicated without joint and dedicated efforts from all sectors.

He added that 100 percent attendance of field staff in anti-dengue activities must be ensured in high-risk districts without exception.

Khawaja Imran Nazir, while addressing the meeting, highlighted the need for greater vigilance and activity this season compared to last year. He called on Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to personally oversee anti-dengue operations and warned that no negligence will be tolerated from the concerned departments. He further instructed that special surveillance be carried out in junkyards and graveyards within district limits, noting that such locations are highly susceptible to dengue breeding.

The ministers noted that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is personally monitoring the dengue control efforts and that logistical support for these operations must be provided on a priority basis. Special focus is being directed toward dengue-prone districts, and issues related to human resources, geo-tagging, and dashboard functionality in high-risk areas should be addressed immediately.

The meeting was attended via video link by all Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of health departments, senior officials, and medical experts including Professor Wasim Akram.