RAWALPINDI, Jun 22 (APP):Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Amir Khattak on Monday directed all relevant departments to strengthen anti-dengue measures and ensure coordinated efforts to prevent the spread of the disease during the monsoon season. Chairing a meeting to review dengue prevention and control arrangements across the division, he directed the departments concerned to work in close coordination and further enhance the effectiveness of the anti-dengue campaign. Khattak warned that strict …
Commissioner reviews dengue preparedness, orders intensified surveillance across division
RAWALPINDI, Jun 22 (APP):Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Amir Khattak on Monday directed all relevant departments to strengthen anti-dengue measures and ensure coordinated efforts to prevent the spread of the disease during the monsoon season.
Chairing a meeting to review dengue prevention and control arrangements across the division, he directed the departments concerned to work in close coordination and further enhance the effectiveness of the anti-dengue campaign.
Khattak warned that strict action would be taken against violations of dengue standard operating procedures (SOPs), adding that negligence at any level would not be tolerated.
The commissioner instructed authorities to maintain continuous surveillance of low-lying areas, vacant plots, under-construction buildings, graveyards, tyre shops, junkyards and other sensitive locations, particularly during the monsoon season, to prevent water accumulation.
He stressed the need for the immediate drainage of stagnant rainwater, describing it as a major breeding source for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Khattak directed the departments concerned to further expand awareness campaigns through mosques, educational institutions, social media platforms and local communities to encourage citizens to adopt preventive measures and keep their surroundings clean.
He also instructed the Health Department to ensure the availability of medicines, diagnostic facilities and hospital beds for suspected and confirmed dengue patients and to guarantee uninterrupted treatment services.
The commissioner directed all departments to submit daily performance reports, identify dengue hotspots for targeted surveillance and fogging operations, and ensure continuous monitoring of field teams.
He emphasised that the district administration and all concerned agencies must continue joint efforts to keep Rawalpindi Division safe from dengue.
During a briefing, the meeting was informed that only two dengue cases had been reported in Rawalpindi Division since January 1 this year.
A total of 5,094,755 houses had been inspected across the division during the period, while immediate preventive measures were taken at 49,858 locations where dengue larvae were detected.
Officials also informed the meeting that 1,671 mosques had been mobilised to disseminate anti-dengue awareness messages among the public.
The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner (Coordination) Zenia Humayun and senior officials from the Health Department, Local Government, Municipal Corporation, Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC), Education Department, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Civil Defence and other relevant institutions.
