Pb to soften dengue bite by 80%
Chandigarh: Punjab's health minister, Dr Balbir Singh, on Saturday unveiled a sweeping action plan to curb dengue fever's cases by 80% this year, combining public awareness drives, tighter enforcement, and enhanced healthcare measures across the state.
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Speaking at a meeting of the state task force on vector-borne diseases at Punjab Bhawan, Dr Balbir Singh said dedicated dengue beds equipped with mosquito nets were laid at govt hospitals, medical colleges, and 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics. Testing and treatment for dengue fever and malaria will remain free at all govt health facilities. The minister announced the return of the CM's 'Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Vaar' campaign, which will kick off on May 1.
Highlighting another major move, the minister noted that dengue fever had been declared a notifiable disease across Punjab. The state has capped the cost of relevant tests at private hospitals and laboratories at 600.
The minister said last year's campaign had halved dengue fever's cases and cut related deaths by 66%. "No malaria deaths were reported in Punjab in 2024," he said. Expanding preventive efforts to schools, the health minister directed the officers to hold special awareness camps for students and teachers, while eradicating stagnant water on school premises — near toilets, mid-day meal kitchens, and water tanks especially.
Addressing another priority, he instructed the water supply and sanitation department to repair malfunctioning reverse osmosis (RO) systems urgently for the provision of clean drinking water. State programme officer Dr Arshdeep Kaur updated the media on efforts under the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme and outlined plans to intensify future action against those ailments.
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