The Health Department is gearing up to face dengue and intensify its vector surveillance and other activities. Punjab Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal addressing a meeting on the dengue control at the Civil Secretariat on Monday said, "Better planning and co-ordinated efforts are needed to control dengue. There is need to work with national spirit for eradicating dengue once and for all. Awareness should be enhanced as people's cooperation is of significant importance."

He also urged all departments to play their active role and told district co-ordination officers of Rawalpindi and Multan to pick a better strategy to cope with dengue this year and monitor it regularly. Health Special Secretary Ali Jan then gave a detailed briefing about the anti-dengue measures.

Those also present were Health Adviser Khwaja Salman Rafique, Additional Chief Secretary Shumail Ahmad Khwaja, the secretaries of the Local Government and Health, the Health Services director general, King Edward Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Faisal Masood and dengue expert Dr Waseem Akram.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2016