LAHORE: Punjab Education Department hаѕ closed аƖƖ schools οf Lahore fοr next ten days tο prevent dengue whісh іѕ spreading аt аn alarming level throughout thе province, States Times reported οn Tuesday.
Thе dengue cases аrе being reported іn οthеr cities οf Punjab аѕ eight more cases іn Gujranwala whіƖе two cases іn Jehlum hаνе bееn confirmed today.
Despite аƖƖ claims dengue virus іѕ spreading іn οthеr cities οf Punjab; four nеw cases hаνе bееn confirmed first time іn village Maja οf Gujar Khan аnԁ two nеw patients аѕ first victims οf dengue іn Jehlum thіѕ day.
Total 500 more dengue patients hаνе bееn confirmed асrοѕѕ Punjab whіƖе Rawalpindi’s dengue patients’ toll hаѕ mounted over eighteen. States Times
Monday, 10 October 2011
LHC orders labs to charge Rs 90 for Dengue CBC tests
LAHORE: Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan of the Lahore High Court on Thursday ordered all laboratories in Punjab to charge only Rs 90 for complete blood count (CBC) test till November 15 as per government policy in wake of the dengue outbreak and set up separate counters for dengue patients.
The judge observed that if the order was not complied with, then strict action would be taken against the owners and management of the laboratories. The judge also directed the provincial government to approach the court in case it wanted to extend its campaign after November 15.
The judge issued these directions while disposing of a petition moved by Dr Zeenat Hussain against the sealing of her laboratory for allegedly charging extra money for CBC tests. The judge also ordered the quashing of an FIR registered against the employees of the petitioner.
During the proceedings on Thursday, Punjab Aditional Advocate General Sirajul Islam submitted that the Punjab government was trying to control the dengue outbreak and was taking measures to save the people. He said that the government required cooperation not only from the people, but also from laboratory owners. He said that only Rs 70 was incurred on the CBC test, while the government had allowed the charging of Rs 90 per patient. He also said that concerned officials were taking action against labs for overcharging for CBC tests.
He said that only reception centres of laboratories were being sealed and requested that the petition be rejected. The petitioner’s counsel alleged that government action was discriminatory as it had not taken any action against Ittefaq Hospital, which was charging Rs 360 for a CBC test. He requested that government action against the petitioner be declared as illegal.
The judge remarked that the government should refrain from taking illegal steps and aggravating the situation to the extent that the court had to pass an order to unseal all laboratories. The judge also directed labs owners to cooperate with the government so as to prevent patient suffering.
Health Secretary Jehanziab Khan said that the CBC test was a primary test in dengue treatment and that it cost about Rs 70, whereas the government had ordered private laboratories to charge up to Rs 90 for the same till November 15. The judge postponed the hearing for a short time and directed the petitioner to have a meeting with health secretary and settle the issue amicably.
When proceedings resumed after an interval, Sirajul Islam said that the district quality control board in its meeting on Thursday decided to unseal the laboratory after assurances from the petitioner that her lab would charge only Rs 90 for CBC test.
Ittefaq Hospital Chief Executive Officer Hafeezud Din Siddique also appeared and submitted that the hospital was charging Rs 90 from general patients for the CBC test while it was providing test service to dengue patients for free. Dr Mubashar Hassan, a representative of the petitioner, assured on behalf of the petitioner that Rs 90 would be charged for the CBC test and that a separate counter for dengue patients would be set up. After these proceedings, the judge disposed of the petition.
The judge observed that if the order was not complied with, then strict action would be taken against the owners and management of the laboratories. The judge also directed the provincial government to approach the court in case it wanted to extend its campaign after November 15.
The judge issued these directions while disposing of a petition moved by Dr Zeenat Hussain against the sealing of her laboratory for allegedly charging extra money for CBC tests. The judge also ordered the quashing of an FIR registered against the employees of the petitioner.
During the proceedings on Thursday, Punjab Aditional Advocate General Sirajul Islam submitted that the Punjab government was trying to control the dengue outbreak and was taking measures to save the people. He said that the government required cooperation not only from the people, but also from laboratory owners. He said that only Rs 70 was incurred on the CBC test, while the government had allowed the charging of Rs 90 per patient. He also said that concerned officials were taking action against labs for overcharging for CBC tests.
He said that only reception centres of laboratories were being sealed and requested that the petition be rejected. The petitioner’s counsel alleged that government action was discriminatory as it had not taken any action against Ittefaq Hospital, which was charging Rs 360 for a CBC test. He requested that government action against the petitioner be declared as illegal.
The judge remarked that the government should refrain from taking illegal steps and aggravating the situation to the extent that the court had to pass an order to unseal all laboratories. The judge also directed labs owners to cooperate with the government so as to prevent patient suffering.
Health Secretary Jehanziab Khan said that the CBC test was a primary test in dengue treatment and that it cost about Rs 70, whereas the government had ordered private laboratories to charge up to Rs 90 for the same till November 15. The judge postponed the hearing for a short time and directed the petitioner to have a meeting with health secretary and settle the issue amicably.
When proceedings resumed after an interval, Sirajul Islam said that the district quality control board in its meeting on Thursday decided to unseal the laboratory after assurances from the petitioner that her lab would charge only Rs 90 for CBC test.
Ittefaq Hospital Chief Executive Officer Hafeezud Din Siddique also appeared and submitted that the hospital was charging Rs 90 from general patients for the CBC test while it was providing test service to dengue patients for free. Dr Mubashar Hassan, a representative of the petitioner, assured on behalf of the petitioner that Rs 90 would be charged for the CBC test and that a separate counter for dengue patients would be set up. After these proceedings, the judge disposed of the petition.
Information regarding Free Dengue Medical Camps
Free Medical Camp for information plz.
we are arranging "FREE MEDICAL CAMP against DENGUE" infront of 'Data Darbar' on Sunday 25.09.2011 from 9;00am to 4;00pm. In the camp all services provide to the patients absolutly free like complete check-up and Blood Test CBC with Platelet.
.
.
Regards:
Dr.Zafar Ali Khan Medical Administrator, Al. khair Hospital
we are arranging "FREE MEDICAL CAMP against DENGUE" infront of 'Data Darbar' on Sunday 25.09.2011 from 9;00am to 4;00pm. In the camp all services provide to the patients absolutly free like complete check-up and Blood Test CBC with Platelet.
.
.
Regards:
Dr.Zafar Ali Khan Medical Administrator, Al. khair Hospital
Prevention from dengue in Lahore and Pakistan
In the prevailing circumstances, the dengue virus has almost reached its pinnacle and is spreading all over Pakistan on a comparatively more rapid rate than the last year.
This virus is transmitted via several mosquito species, principally the aedes aegypti. It is a black coloured mosquito with several white spots or lines all over its body. This mosquito, however, may or may not contain the virus in its stomach every time it injects into the human bloodstream.
A major cause of widespread dengue is that it lives on clean water surfaces, which are very commonly available. Therefore, acute care must be taken that no water is left uncovered in pitchers, tubs, jars, etc and pesticides should be sprayed in gardens and lawns. In this regard, however, schools, colleges and universities do not pay much attention.
Students commonly do not have any covered spaces to sit and only a few institutes are taking appropriate steps to ensure the safety of students. It is a matter of immense importance that all institutes take necessary steps to reduce the daily number of dengue victims by taking appropriate measure.
This virus is transmitted via several mosquito species, principally the aedes aegypti. It is a black coloured mosquito with several white spots or lines all over its body. This mosquito, however, may or may not contain the virus in its stomach every time it injects into the human bloodstream.
A major cause of widespread dengue is that it lives on clean water surfaces, which are very commonly available. Therefore, acute care must be taken that no water is left uncovered in pitchers, tubs, jars, etc and pesticides should be sprayed in gardens and lawns. In this regard, however, schools, colleges and universities do not pay much attention.
Students commonly do not have any covered spaces to sit and only a few institutes are taking appropriate steps to ensure the safety of students. It is a matter of immense importance that all institutes take necessary steps to reduce the daily number of dengue victims by taking appropriate measure.
Dengue not enough to stop Cricket in Pakistan
LAHORE: Despite the rising number of dengue cases witnessed in Lahore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not planning to move the season-opening domestic Twenty20 Championship from the city.
The event is expected to attract a full house at the Gadaffi Stadium which is situated in an area declared to be a risk for the deadly disease.
The Punjab government has already ordered closing down all schools and parks in the city that are susceptible during the early and late hours of the day. Authorities have also declared an emergency situation to deal with the menace that has so far taken 4,000 people in its grasp in the province with 3,000 of them in Lahore alone.
The PCB, however, emphasised that the event will go ahead and necessary precautions will be taken including fumigating the entire stadium twice a day. But according to the health department, the usage of sprays will not help during the ongoing monsoon season and the forecasted overcast conditions will cancel out the effects of fumigation.
Meanwhile, most of the associations participating in the tournament have also shown concern. The event will also feature a team from Afghanistan and was shifted to Lahore after the original venue, Rawalpindi, was deemed unfit to host the event.
Meanwhile, the PCB has so far not chosen to postpone the event because of the tight window during the next six months. While national squad members will add to the fan’s delight right now, postponement of the domestic tournament will reduce it to local stars.
The 14-team tournament includes Karachi Dolphins, Karachi Zebras, Lahore Lions, Lahore Eagles, Sialkot Stallions, Islamabad Leopards, Abbotabad Falcons, Rawalpindi Rams, Multan Tigers, Quetta Bears, Faisalabad Wolves, Peshawar Panthers and Hyderabad Hawks and a team from Afghanistan.
KCCA wants venue shift
The Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) has asked the PCB to shift the upcoming National Twenty20 Tournament from Lahore due to the dengue outburst. “We have serious concerns,” KCCA President Sirajul Islam Bukhari told The Express Tribune. “We’ve asked the PCB to either change the venue or postpone the tournament. If the PCB wants, we’re ready to host the event at the National Stadium.”
How to Stop Dengue
People should be educated to do so, only Lahore government cannot overcome Dengue.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. In a small proportion of cases the disease develops into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.
Dengue fever caused by specific specie of female mosquito is prevailing speedily these days in Pakistan. The very first dengue patient was victimized in Karachi in 1994, and from onward this ailment started to prevail in the whole of Pakistan. Dengue is basically a tropical disease whose germs were initially imported from America to Karachi.
How to Overcome the Dengue Fever
Research tell that only two spoonfuls of raw papaya leaves juice, taken once a day can help dengue patients increase their platelet count and therefore overcome the fever.
Here is how you juice the leaves:
For each dose of 2 tablespoonfuls once a day, you need 2 papaya leaves.
Clean and pound them, and squeeze it with a filter cloth.
Do not boil or cook or rinse with hot water.
Use only the leafy part with no stem or sap
Another recent research, tells Pure Apple Juice with a few drops of Lemon helps dengue patients increase their platelet count and therefore overcome the fever!
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LAHORE - Punjab government has decided that all schools and colleges in public and private sector in Lahore will remain closed for 10 days for completing spray and other arrangements against dengue virus.
The educational institutions will undertake spray and necessary measures during this period while monitoring teams will supervise the process. This was stated by Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif while presiding over a meeting to review measures against dengue virus here on Tuesday.
Members National and provincial assemblies, chairmen town committees, secretaries of different departments, commissioner and district coordination officer Lahore and experts were present.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that all possible steps are being taken to control dengue virus and besides posting additional staff in hospitals for the benefit of dengue patients, machinery has also been provided.
He said that in order to protect the students from dengue virus, all schools in public and private sector in Lahore will remain closed for 10 days.
‘All segments of society have been included in the ongoing drive against dengue virus and a vigorous campaign has also been launched for promoting public awareness regarding preventive measures against dengue’, he added.
Issuing instructions for allocating all administrative offices of hospitals of Lahore for dengue patients, he directed that these instructions be implemented immediately.
He further directed that a plan be evolved to drop pamphlets bearing preventive measures against dengue in the worst affected districts by aeroplanes.
Shahbaz directed that immediate steps be taken for importing machines from Germany and medicines from India, in accordance with the standard of World Health Organisation and a special team be sent to India for this purpose.
He said that in the light of the negotiations between Punjab government and the owners of private hospitals, provision of free medical facilities for dengue patients in these hospitals be ensured and private hospitals should discharge their responsibilities in this regard.
Town committees should monitor provision of free medical facilities for dengue patients in private hospitals on regular basis, he added.
He said the hospitals of Punjab Employees Social Security Institution should also been included in the campaign against dengue virus.
Shahbaz further said that machinery is available in the PESSI hospital in Raiwind, therefore, the hospital should be allocated for providing treatment facilities to dengue patients.
Special committee comprising Assembly members should negotiate for providing diagnostic facilities to dengue patients in private laboratories at reasonable charges while stern action be taken against the elements involved in the price-hike of mosquito repellants, he stated.
He said that those playing with the lives of innocent people deserve no leniency.
Shahbaz said that those playing an active role in controlling dengue virus should be commended while the elements indulging in profiteering or showing negligence be held accountable.
He said that setting up of 10 collection centres with the collaboration between Chughtai Lab and Punjab government is a welcome step and will result in the availability of free diagnostic facilities for the patients of dengue virus.
He said that the power to conduct spray in the houses against dengue virus has been transferred to town committees and now it is their responsibility to ensure spray in the houses.
He said that the helpline set up for the benefit of dengue patients is yielding positive results and 10,000 calls have so far been received at the helpline.
He said that 3500 persons were provided guidance through the helpline on Monday.
Drive against dengue virus is being promoted as a movement and participation of all segments of the society including boy and girl students in the campaign has been ensured, he said.
The CM directed that boy and girl students of medical colleges should also be included in the campaign for helping dengue patients and other people.
He said that the team of Sri Lankan experts will reach on Wednesday (today) to provide technical assistance to Punjab government.
Issuing instructions for the immediate suspension of Medical Superintendent Benazir Hospital Rawalpindi, he said that doctors and paramedical staff serving the ailing humanity will be commended while those showing negligence in providing proper facilities to patients will not be spared.
Earlier, Secretary Health Jehanzeb Khan while giving briefing regarding ongoing campaign against dengue virus informed that 4044 dengue patients have been reported in Punjab so far and most of them belong to Lahore.
He said that additional machinery and staff have been provided in hospitals and due to better arrangements, the patients are not facing any problem.
Secretary Schools Aslam Kamboh informed that 100 machines have been purchased for spray in schools and necessary arrangements for this purpose have been completed. Commissioner Lahore informed about the arrangements for spray in the provincial metropolis and availability of medical facilities in hospitals.
Meanwhile, All Private Schools Association has opposed the Punjab government’s decision to close the schools.
It may be mentioned here that the universities will remain open as usual.
According to a Press release issued by Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) Lahore, the university will remain open and there will be no vacations and the administrative and academic offices of the institution will remain functional as per routine.
Agencies add: In Faisalabad, the number of dengue cases has increased up to 163 with 12 new cases. Ten patients were admitted to Allied Hospital and two to the District Headquarters Hospital on Tuesday.
According to data, the dengue epidemic is increasing in Faisalabad with an alarming rate despite lofty claims of the health department that it had made elaborate arrangements to save people from the virus.
Four cases of the disease were unearthed in Azad Kashmir. Three of which were in Neelum Valley and one in Kotli, the sources said.
They said that doctors are providing proper treatment to the patients of dengue.
Health Department has taken precautionary measures to prevent spreading of dengue fever.
Our staff reporter from Karachi adds: Provincial Dengue Surveillance Cell of Sindh Health Department has declared that during the last 48 hours as many as seven new patients with dengue have been reported in the provincial metropolis.
As per Dengue Surveillance Cell report, since January 1 to September 12 as many as 185 patients suspected of having dengue fever had been reported in the city, out of them 151 cases were reported to be hospitalised while 34 reported through OPD. As many as 176 out of 185 were found positive after lab analysis, while one death had also been reported in the city.
In other parts of the province, during the aforesaid period only 26 patients suspected of carrying dengue fever were reported. Out of these only one case was reported in OPD while 25 patients were hospitalised in various hospitals of the interior Sindh. However, all 26 cases were found positive in the lab findings. Overall 211 patients suspected of carrying dengue had been reported during the aforesaid period out of which 202 cases found positive.
Dengue fever caused by specific specie of female mosquito is prevailing speedily these days in Pakistan. The very first dengue patient was victimized in Karachi in 1994, and from onward this ailment started to prevail in the whole of Pakistan. Dengue is basically a tropical disease whose germs were initially imported from America to Karachi.
How to Overcome the Dengue Fever
Research tell that only two spoonfuls of raw papaya leaves juice, taken once a day can help dengue patients increase their platelet count and therefore overcome the fever.
Here is how you juice the leaves:
For each dose of 2 tablespoonfuls once a day, you need 2 papaya leaves.
Clean and pound them, and squeeze it with a filter cloth.
Do not boil or cook or rinse with hot water.
Use only the leafy part with no stem or sap
Another recent research, tells Pure Apple Juice with a few drops of Lemon helps dengue patients increase their platelet count and therefore overcome the fever!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What is dengue and how is it treated?
A: Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. Symptoms appear in 3–14 days (average 4–7 days) after the infective bite. Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a potentially lethal complication but early clinical diagnosis and careful clinical management by experienced physicians and nurses often save lives.
More than 70% of the disease burden is in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific area. Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean are much less affected. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the incidence and severity of disease are increasing rapidly. Increase in international air travel is facilitating the rapid global movement of dengue viruses. This increases the risk of dengue haemorrhagic fever epidemics by introducing new dengue viruses into susceptible populations.
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Key facts
- Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness, and sometimes a potentially lethal complication called dengue haemorrhagic fever.
- Global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades.
- About two fifths of the world's population are now at risk.
- Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
- Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in some Asian countries.
- There is no specific treatment for dengue, but appropriate medical care frequently saves the lives of patients with the more serious dengue haemorrhagic fever.
- The only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is to combat the disease-carrying mosquitoes.
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Latest News
Dengue shuts Lahore educational institutions for 10 days
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Lahore schools, colleges shut over dengue fears
LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to shut down all public and private sector schools and colleges in Lahore for 10 days to protect students from the dengue virus and to complete spraying and other arrangements. This was announced after as many as 559 new cases of dengue fever were reported during the last 24 hours across the Punjab province. This number includes an MPA and his wife and daughter.
The decision to close down all educational institutions was announced by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while presiding over a meeting to review measures against the dengue virus here on Tuesday. He said educational institutions would carryout spraying and necessary measures during the holidays while monitoring teams will supervise the process.
He also issued instructions for the immediate suspension of the Medical Superintendent Benazir Hospital, Rawalpindi, saying that doctors and paramedics serving the ailing people would be commended while those showing negligence would not be spared.
He said all possible steps were being taken to control the dengue virus; besides posting additional staff in hospitals for the benefit of patients, machinery had also been made available. He said immediate steps should be taken to import machines from Germany and medicines from India in accordance with the standard of the World Health Organisation and a special team should be sent to India for the purpose.
The CM said a plan should be evolved to distribute pamphlets bearing preventive measures against dengue in the worst affected districts. The CM said that in the light of the negotiations between the Punjab government and the owners of private hospitals, provision of free medical facilities for dengue patients in such hospitals should be ensured and private hospitals should discharge their responsibilities in this regard.
He said that setting up of 10 collection centres with the collaboration of Chughtai Labs and the Punjab government was a welcome step and would result in the availability of free diagnostic facilities for dengue patients.
The CM said that the helpline set up for the benefit of dengue patients was yielding positive results and 10,000 calls had so far been received. He directed that students of medical colleges should also be included in the campaign to counsel dengue patients.
Earlier, Health Secretary Jehanzeb Khan gave a briefing and said that 4,044 dengue patients had been reported in Punjab so far and most of them belonged to Lahore.
While announcing the closure of all public and private educational institutions in district Lahore till September 24, the government also announced the use of police force against the owners of educational institutions who would defy its order.
Schools across Lahore district will reopen on September 26 as September 25 is Sunday. The Higher Education Department announced holidays for colleges from Wednesday (today) till September 23.
However, the All Pakistan Private Schools Welfare Association (APPSWA) has announced keeping schools open in district Lahore despite the announcement by the provincial government. According to a press release, the decision was taken in a meeting chaired by APPSWA President Syed Zulqarnain Shah who said students mostly spent their time at home and attend schools for just six hours daily. He said medical research had also proved that dengue attacked in the early morning or evening so the decision to close educational institutes was irrelevant.
The APPSWA also demanded that the Punjab government revert its decision, warning that in case of forcible closure of private schools, it would file a petition in court. During the meeting, it was also decided that all the private schools would be sprayed with dengue insecticide.
Muhammad Sadiq Siddiqui, Sheikh Javed Aziz, Maqsood Ahmad, Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, Rana Naveed Asghar, Rizwan Yousaf, Dr Mumtaz Hassan, Chaudhry Tariq and others also attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, parents and students have expressed concerns over the Punjab government’s notification, saying it should have also covered tuition centres and academies that mostly operate in the evening. They also criticised the government for delaying anti-dengue measures and said if the government had taken timely measures, the situation could have been averted.
They were of the view that the abrupt announcement to close educational institutions was evidence of the bewilderment of the government that had failed to control the virus. They also condemned the involvement of female college students in dengue awareness campaigns on different roads in the provincial metropolis and said the government should engage its own employees for the purpose.
Meanwhile, according to the report issued by the Punjab Health Department here on Tuesday, at least 389 patients were under treatment for dengue fever in different hospitals of the province. The second highest number of dengue patients has been reported from Faisalabad where the total number of patients has reached 196, followed by Rawalpindi where the number is 52.
MPA Farooq Yousaf Ghurki, his wife and daughter are also suffering from dengue fever and are under treatment at a hospital. Children at Edhi Home have also contracted the virus.
The decision to close down all educational institutions was announced by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while presiding over a meeting to review measures against the dengue virus here on Tuesday. He said educational institutions would carryout spraying and necessary measures during the holidays while monitoring teams will supervise the process.
He also issued instructions for the immediate suspension of the Medical Superintendent Benazir Hospital, Rawalpindi, saying that doctors and paramedics serving the ailing people would be commended while those showing negligence would not be spared.
He said all possible steps were being taken to control the dengue virus; besides posting additional staff in hospitals for the benefit of patients, machinery had also been made available. He said immediate steps should be taken to import machines from Germany and medicines from India in accordance with the standard of the World Health Organisation and a special team should be sent to India for the purpose.
The CM said a plan should be evolved to distribute pamphlets bearing preventive measures against dengue in the worst affected districts. The CM said that in the light of the negotiations between the Punjab government and the owners of private hospitals, provision of free medical facilities for dengue patients in such hospitals should be ensured and private hospitals should discharge their responsibilities in this regard.
He said that setting up of 10 collection centres with the collaboration of Chughtai Labs and the Punjab government was a welcome step and would result in the availability of free diagnostic facilities for dengue patients.
The CM said that the helpline set up for the benefit of dengue patients was yielding positive results and 10,000 calls had so far been received. He directed that students of medical colleges should also be included in the campaign to counsel dengue patients.
Earlier, Health Secretary Jehanzeb Khan gave a briefing and said that 4,044 dengue patients had been reported in Punjab so far and most of them belonged to Lahore.
While announcing the closure of all public and private educational institutions in district Lahore till September 24, the government also announced the use of police force against the owners of educational institutions who would defy its order.
Schools across Lahore district will reopen on September 26 as September 25 is Sunday. The Higher Education Department announced holidays for colleges from Wednesday (today) till September 23.
However, the All Pakistan Private Schools Welfare Association (APPSWA) has announced keeping schools open in district Lahore despite the announcement by the provincial government. According to a press release, the decision was taken in a meeting chaired by APPSWA President Syed Zulqarnain Shah who said students mostly spent their time at home and attend schools for just six hours daily. He said medical research had also proved that dengue attacked in the early morning or evening so the decision to close educational institutes was irrelevant.
The APPSWA also demanded that the Punjab government revert its decision, warning that in case of forcible closure of private schools, it would file a petition in court. During the meeting, it was also decided that all the private schools would be sprayed with dengue insecticide.
Muhammad Sadiq Siddiqui, Sheikh Javed Aziz, Maqsood Ahmad, Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, Rana Naveed Asghar, Rizwan Yousaf, Dr Mumtaz Hassan, Chaudhry Tariq and others also attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, parents and students have expressed concerns over the Punjab government’s notification, saying it should have also covered tuition centres and academies that mostly operate in the evening. They also criticised the government for delaying anti-dengue measures and said if the government had taken timely measures, the situation could have been averted.
They were of the view that the abrupt announcement to close educational institutions was evidence of the bewilderment of the government that had failed to control the virus. They also condemned the involvement of female college students in dengue awareness campaigns on different roads in the provincial metropolis and said the government should engage its own employees for the purpose.
Meanwhile, according to the report issued by the Punjab Health Department here on Tuesday, at least 389 patients were under treatment for dengue fever in different hospitals of the province. The second highest number of dengue patients has been reported from Faisalabad where the total number of patients has reached 196, followed by Rawalpindi where the number is 52.
MPA Farooq Yousaf Ghurki, his wife and daughter are also suffering from dengue fever and are under treatment at a hospital. Children at Edhi Home have also contracted the virus.
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