LAHORE: (Thursday, October 04, 2012): Speakers at a seminar highlighted the importance of people’s participation in order to eradicate dengue fever from the province. The seminar titled “Awareness Raising on the Prevention of Dengue”, held at Punjab University Department of Gender Studies, was a response to the effort of Punjab government and PU Vice Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran to join hands for the eradication of dengue fever.

The seminar was attended by PU Registrar Prof Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir, Prof Dr. Zakria Zakir, Dean Faculty of Social and Behovrial Sciences, Chairman Dengue Research Group Prof Dr Saeed Akhtar, Chairman Zoology Department Prof Dr Muhammad Akhtar, Centre for Clinical Psychology Director Prof Dr Rukhsana Kausar, Kiran Daar, Vice Chairperson CM’s Youth Mobilization Committee on Dengue, Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Chief Social Mobilizer and Social Advisor to CM, Dr. Nausair, University Health Center, Dr. Samar Fatma Chairperson Gender Studies, Dr. Raana Malik, Ms. Nazia Abdulghaffar and a large number of students participated in the seminar. The students from the department of Gender Studies Maryam Batool, Smara Iftikhar, Hafza Mehmood, Sidra Abbas, Mushayadda Noor and Kiran from Replica (IV Semester-2010) presented their research work on Punjab government’s measures to eradicate dengue, which was very much appreciated by the guests and participants.

Prof. Dr. Zikria Zakir said that the student’s research had shown that they were well aware of ongoing social issues. He added further that the emergence of dengue had proved that no social development was possible without the contribution of women. Ms. Kiran Daar said that the prevention of Dengue could be possible through public private partnership. She said that we could avoid such diseases by following the teaching of Islam, which emphasizes on cleanliness.

Ms. Shaista Pervaiz Malik said significant reduction of dengue had been witnessed because of commitment of Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif. She stated that people were now very much aware of dengue fever and the youth should come forward to collaborate in fight against the disease. Sharing his experience, Dr. Nausair commented on the research work of students and said that it could contribute to making efforts better against dengue. Dr. Samar Fatima said that the department had made several efforts at departmental level to eradicate dengue and the research produced by the students was one of these efforts. Dr. Raana Malik said that the department had joined hands with the government and administration of PU to create awareness on prevention of dengue and would continue doing so. Later, special souvenirs were presented to guests speakers.