Chandigarh: In order to curb the spread of dengue fever cases in the state, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Om Parkash Soni has directed to form district level committees under Deputy Commissioners, during a meeting of the Inter-sectorial coordination committee of the State Task Force on dengue control here at Punjab Bhawan today.
Soni who also has the portfolio of health and family welfare department, reviewed the activities being carried out by various departments to deal with the growing threat of dengue and instructed the departments to make concerted efforts to control dengue and malaria so as to keep safe and secured the health of the people of the state. The deputy chief minister also directed the officers of Local bodies Department and Punjab State Rural Development to procure new fogging machines and other equipment at the earliest to further strengthen the efforts being made to control dengue and malaria. Divulging important information, Soni said that the department has fixed the price of dengue test in private hospitals and laboratories at Rs. 600 across the state, so that people can avail this service at reasonable prices. A letter has been issued in this regard.
On the occasion, the Director, Punjab State Rural Development apprised the Deputy Chief Minister that their department had issued orders for the procurement of new fogging machines for as many as 150 blocks of the state. The health minister directed the Local bodies department to carry out fogging in the cities and towns after sunset in the evening. Soni further said that most of the dengue cases have been reported in 7 districts in the state and the situation is under control in the rest of the districts. Similarly, very few cases of malaria have been reported.
He appealed to the people to not let stagnation of water in their homes and around to prevent dengue and malaria. He also appealed to the people to immediately visit government hospitals in case of any symptoms and get tested for dengue and malaria. These tests are available free of cost at government hospitals.