LAHORE: The city witnessed a number of rallies, seminars and other activities held under aegis of the city district government, town municipal administrations and various civic agencies to observe Saturday as “anti-dengue day”.

Since the main rally was organised by the CDGL and Data Ganj Bakhsh Town Municipal Administration on The Mall, the other TMAs and civic agencies also arranged awareness walks in various parts of the city.

The main anti-dengue awareness rally was taken out from the Town Hall.

Led by District Coordination Officer (DCO) retired Capt Muhammad Usman and MPA Majid Zahoor, the participants walked to Anarkali and then back to the place from where it originated.

“The core objective of such activities is to make people aware of dengue virus and its impact on human life. We will continue such activities in the coming years too, since the issue is very serious and linked with the public health at large,” Mr Usman said on the occasion.

He appealed to the participants and the public at large to keep their houses and workplaces dry and clean in order to avoid breeding and growth of dengue larvae.

On the occasion, the officials also distributed handbills, pamphlets etc inscribed with the key messages and information about the precautionary measures against dengue larvae.

TMAs: Shalimar Town Municipal Administration held an awareness walk from the Government Shalimar College (Baghbanpura), led by MNA Pervaiz Malik and Executive District Officer (health) Dr Zulifqar, the participants, after passing through various roads, concluded the walk back at the college.

On the occasion, Mr Pervaiz Malik said it was duty of both the public and private sectors to join hands against dengue.

Handbills and pamphlets were distributed among the shopkeepers, pedestrians and motorists on the way.

Similarly, an awareness walk was organised by Ravi Town administration that was led by TMA administrator Safdar Hussain Virk.

Walks were also arranged on the issue in Nishtar, Gulberg, Samanabad, Iqbal, Wahga and Aziz Bhatti towns.

LWMC: LWMC also held an anti-dengue event at Istanbul Chowk, Town Hall, in association with the Turkish waste management companies in order to highlight collective measures required to be taken both by sanitation agencies and the public for combating dengue epidemic.

To highlight the issue, an awareness walk was held, besides setting up camps, displaying banners, distribution of pamphlets, holding a public briefing, and conducting anti-dengue spray, especially on waste containers, according to a spokesman.

Walk from Istanbul Chowk to Lower Mall was led by company’s Managing Director Bilal Mustafa Syed and senior management along with officials of Turkish waste management companies.

HOSPITALS: Public hospitals in Punjab arranged walks, seminars and dialogue sessions on Saturday to mark the anti-dengue day to raise awareness among the masses about the disease and to sensitise them regarding the precautionary measures to check dengue mosquito breeding.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Ali Jan Khan led a walk from the Directorate General of Health Services to the Punjab Assembly building. Participants displayed placards inscribed with anti-dengue slogans and precautionary measures.

The day was also observed at the Lahore General Hospital and Postgraduate Medical Institute.

According to a press release, institute principal Prof Khalid Mahmood cleaned his office.

In order to prevent dengue, spray was also carried out in the hospital building. A dengue training workshop was held at Medical Unit I which was attended by many doctors, nurses and other hospital staff.

An anti-dengue walk was also arranged at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital where Medical Superintendent Dr Nouman Maqbool led the walk.

Similarly, an awareness seminar was arranged at the Lady Aitchison Hospital and Medical Superintendent Dr Samina led a walk. She distributed pamphlets among the patients and their attendants.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2016