PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran presided over a meeting on Thursday which was attended by PU Syndicate member and MPA Khawaja Imran Nazir, registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Akhtar, Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB) director Dr Tayyab Hasnain, Dr Shahida Hasnain, Dr Saeed Akhtar, Dr Muhammad Idrees Khan, microbiologists and other researchers of the relevant field.
The vice-chancellor asked the researchers to submit their proposals and projects for research on dengue and added that the administration would take all-out measures for the earliest release of funds for this cause.
He also announced the allocation of a separate budget for doing research on dengue. Currently, PU Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics (MMG) and Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB) are jointly researching on dengue mosquito.
The VC said the objective of the meeting was to coordinate among all researches being carried out on dengue.
He said the PU had the capabilities to face the challenge of dengue virus because a number of teachers not only knew about the work but also had the ability to express it in the fittest manner.
Microbiologists and other experts opposed the Sri Lankan experts on the point that there was no need of spray in winter to curb the dengue mosquito and said Pakistan and Sri Lanka carried different environment.
Dr Saeed Akhtar said the dengue became inactive at a temperature below 23 degree Celsius and stopped seeding below 20 degree Celsius. Therefore, he said, such places must be sprayed which could help control dengue mosquitoes.
Stressing the need of collaboration among Sri Lankan and local experts, they said the mutual cooperation would provide an opportunity to extract maximum information from the Sri Lankan team.
He said a two-credit hour compulsory course on 'arboviruses' (such arthropods which are responsible for spreading diseases) should be included in the MBBS curriculum.
He said there was a dire need of in-depth research to identify habitats of dengue virus which were responsible for causing the disease.
Dr Muhammad Idrees Khan said there was enough indigenous technology which could diagnose either a patient was a victim of dengue fever or not. He said the research should also be taken if papaya (papeeta) juice and other local prescriptions had required effects. He said there was four types of dengue virus and the research must be carried out on all types. Dawn
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