JOIN USPregnant woman died of dengue, hospital confirms
A private hospital, which on Thursday denied that one of its patients, an eight-months pregnant woman, had died of dengue, on Friday reviewed its report and confirmed the 23-year-old would-be mother had indeed succumbed to the fever.
Nirmala, 23, of Kyalasanahalli in Horamavu ward died of high fever at Manipal Hospital on Thursday.
She was shifted to the hospital after another hospital conducted tests confirming dengue. However, Manipal Hospital had stated that earlier blood tests had proved her negative for the infectious fever.
On Friday, Dr Sudharshan Bhallal, medical director of Manipal Hospital, said: “Since she had received blood from various donors, preliminary tests proved negative for dengue. We again conducted tests on many of her blood samples, which confirmed she died of dengue.
However, Nirmala’s case was an extreme one as she developed complications which led to her death,” he added.
But Nirmala’s family members have accused the hospital of medical negligence. Her husband Mohan K said though his wife was admitted to the hospital on June 2, blood transfusion happened only on June 6.
“The hospital did not attend to my wife though her condition was serious. They did not make any efforts to save my child. The hospital was more worried about the bill. Despite paying a bill for Rs 4.6 lakh, I could not save my wife,” a tearful Mohan told Deccan Herald.
BBMP unaware
Dr Bhallal also said there were 60-70 suspected dengue cases in February, March and April. The numbers have doubled over the past two months, he added.
But Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Health wing is unaware of dengue deaths in the private hospital, though it’s mandatory for all the private hospitals to inform it of any cases related to epidemic outbreak or communicable diseases.
The Palike has received the reports of 15 dengue cases since January 2012. Dr M N Lokesh, deputy health officer, said all the 15 positive cases are reports received from National Institute of Virology (NIV). “We do consider private hospital lab reports, provided they have followed the protocol in testing blood samples,” he added.
He said they are yet to collect information from private hospitals. As the monsoon has set in, the number of dengue cases will increase. The BBMP will concentrate on the awareness programme, he added.
‘Test results may vary’
Sources from the health directorate said the test results may vary from a private lab to a government lab.
As per the circular sent by the health directorate, all private hospitals have to share details about infectious and communicable diseases, but the health directorate will consider the cases based only on government lab reports.
Since January 2012, there have been five dengue deaths across the State – three in Raichur and two in Kolar. Out of the 1,124 samples collected, 292 persons have tested positive for dengue.
Bangalore City alone recorded 22 cases this year so far. The government has released Rs 95 lakh to all the districts to conduct vector control and environment management programme in the State.