Dengue effort misdirected, says Lankan team in Punjab

Visiting Sri Lankan doctors told the Punjab government that it needed to review its existing strategy regarding platelets and spray for curbing dengue virus.

"Sri Lanka had confronted a devastating situation in 2009 like the one in Pakistan today. No country can claim to have completely eradicated the virus, but through preventive measures, proper attention by doctors and community participation, the situation can be controlled," they observed while attending a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the CM's Secretariat to review measures against the dengue virus.

Apart from Sri Lankan experts, MNAs and MPAs, secretaries of various departments, religious scholars and senior doctors attended the meeting.

The Sri Lankan team headed by Dr Kolitha Sellahewa said there was no shortcut to dealing with the challenge, adding that a long-term plan was needed.

They said the government, experts and general public would have to make collective and concerted efforts to cope with the challenge. "It is a matter of satisfaction that the Punjab government is making determined efforts, and the CM is personally engaged in this war," they opined. The CM said his government was taking all measures to control the dengue virus, and a special taskforce, headed by Chief Secretary, had also been formed to evolve long-term plan for the eradication of the dengue virus, which would also help in controlling other viral diseases.

"The campaign is like a movement in which students, doctors, civil society and people of all walks of life have been included. Every person will have to play an active role against dengue virus," he was quoted as saying by Pakistan's The Nation.