“The patients taken ill must get their blood samples tested free of cost for detection of Malaria and Dengue in the Government hospitals so as to ensure that the treatment can begin promptly once the suspected case is confirmed. This would go a long way in complete eradication of Malaria and Dengue from the State.”This was disclosed here today by the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu while chairing a meeting of the State Task Force for Eradication of Malaria and Dengue at Kalyan Bhawan. The Minister further said that for getting rid of the menace of malaria and dengue, it is extremely significant that special attention be paid towards the areas affected during the previous years besides going in for fogging in the fixed time frame after formulating micro-plans through coordination of teams from Health and Local Government Departments. Apart from this, the Minister also emphasized challaning of those violating Punjab Governments’ instructions.Mr. Sidhu also directed the Director, Health Services, Mrs. Jaspal Kaur to ensure that the Multi-Purpose Health Workers are sent to each household in every village during the months of July, August and September as there is a danger of dengue being widespread in these months. He also directed that complete record be maintained of this entire activity with mobile number of every person and furthermore, a block level committee for monitoring of these workers be constituted.
The Health Minister also said that seminars be organized in the schools for sensitizing the children about symptoms and prevention of malaria as well as dengue. He also emphasized that the persons indisposed must get their blood samples checked during monsoon season as a preventive measure against malaria and dengue.Mr. Sidhu also exhorted the Transport Department to promptly cover the used tyres as well as scrap and check on weekly basis the workshops in the Districts.The Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Mr. Satish Chandra directed that meeting be held with the nodal officers of all the departments under the guidance of Deputy Commissioners. He also called upon the Multipurpose Health Workers to discharge their duty as per their beat programme which must be checked by the supervisors at the regular intervals. During the meeting, the Programme Officer DR. Anu Chopra Dosajh threw light on the whole gamut of activities to be carried out in accordance with the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme.Among other dignitaries present on the occasion included Director, Panchayat Development Mr. Jaskiran Singh, MD National Health Mission Mr. Amit Kumar, Political Secretary/Health Minister-Mr. Harkesh Chand Sharma Machhli Kalan, Director Health Services Dr. Jaspal Kaur, Director Family Welfare Mrs. Avneet Kaur, Director Animal Husbandry Mr. Inderjit Singh, Director Fisheries Mr. Madan Mohan, Joint Director Local Government Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Dr. R.K. Gupta from the Indian Medical Association Punjab, and senior officers from the Water Supply & Sanitation, Transport, Medical Education and Research, Education and Labour Departments.