Meeting on dengue held

ISLAMABAD: A stateholders meeting on dengue fever organized by Planning Commission was held here Tuesday to review the measures being taken to prevent the deadly virus.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor Health Planning Commission Dr Talib Lashari said efforts have been made with the collaboration of the provinces to create awareness among the masses against the dengue virus.

He said the federal and provincial governments should chalk out strategies and allocate separate funds to deal with the situation arising out of the spread of the dengue.

He informed the meeting that two hundred people have so far died of dengue virus in Punjab province. 5715 patients are tested postive for the dengue virus in Punjab while in Karachi 400 patients have so far been tested positive.

Representative WHO Dr Rana said that preventive measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

He said the international health organizations should also guide and support Pakistan in dealing with the situation.

Representatives of international agencies and government officials from the centre and provinces attended the one day meeting.