Over 1,900 dengue cases a week, Centre reviews hospitals

Delhi seems to be heading towards one of the worst dengue outbreaks with the figures almost touching 3,000 mark till last week, according to data of the municipal corporations.

The Centre took stock of the situation with the surge in dengue cases last week.
With 2,960 cases recorded this season, the capital has crossed the 2010’s figures of 2,360 till September end. In last week alone, 1919 dengue cases were reported. 

 Three fresh deaths – two from state-run Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital and one from Max Hospital – were recorded on Monday with the death toll climbing to at least 25 this season.

Deccan Herald had reported that eight more deaths had come to light recently since January 1 and if recorded the death toll would cross 30 in that case. The municipal corporations have, however, recorded only 17 deaths till now.

On Sunday, a 24-year-old man died of dengue shock syndrome at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital.

“The man was a resident of a camp in Khyber Pass. He was brought to the hospital in critical condition around midnight. His samples were immediately sent for testing. The man died at 2 am. The other death recorded on Saturday has now been confirmed as dengue,” said a senior doctor at the hospital.

A 34-year-old woman Anita died at Max Hospital on Sunday night. She was admitted to the hospital on September 16. While the woman’s family members alleged that the hospital had refused to hand over the body due to unsettled bills, the hospital refuted it.
“As per our norms, the body was handed over to the family the same night. A large part of the treatment bill is still unsettled,” said a statement by Max.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said hospitals have been directed to hand over bodies even if there are issues between patients’ families and the hospital over unsettled bills.
  
Jain told on Monday that the data from individual hospitals will be made available soon. “The Delhi government does not want to hold back any data. It will be released as and when the data is compiled,” said Jain.  

The capital saw 400 dengue cases from other states.

Highest number of cases

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has seen the highest number of cases at 1,765, South Delhi Municipal Corporation has seen 1,193 cases and East Delhi Municipal Corporation recording 478 cases.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda reviewed the facilities at four hospitals – Safdarjung Hospital, RML Hospital, AIIMS and Lady Hardinge Hospital. Nadda has directed the hospitals to submit dengue reports daily. Lady Hardinge got additional 160 beds after around three patients were seen sharing one bed last week.

The Health Minister also reviewed the status of diagnostic test kits across hospitals. The Centre has also directed to set up separate round-the-clock units for fever related cases. It directed private hospitals to turn spare ambulances into mobile clinics to treat fever cases.