Govt in crisis mode as dengue cases hit five-year high

Dengue cases hit a five-year high in the capital this July, as the South Delhi Municipal Corporation reported 91 patients.

Official data collected till July 30 revealed 29 cases have been reported last week alone, though individual cases from hospitals could increase that figure.  Safdarjung Hospital has handled 144 dengue cases so far, while RML treated 16 positive patients. The Corporation’s data also failed to register the death of a 17-year-old girl who succumbed to the disease at Lok Nayak Hospital. 

The SDMC data also revealed 16 Malaria cases have been treated in the capital. While 36 dengue cases were recorded in July 2015, the figure was seven for 2014. The number of cases for 2012 and 2013 were 11 and seven respectively. Last year, the capital saw the worst dengue outbreak since 1996.

Dealing with the increasing cases, the Delhi government has allowed all the hospitals by 10 to 20 per cent for the next three months. The government directive has said the additional beds can only be used for fever and dengue cases. The hospitals will be held responsible for turning away dengue patients.

Capping lab tests for dengue at Rs 600 and platelet count at Rs 50, the government has also warned severe action against private hospitals charging more.

The mohalla clinics have been geared up to handle dengue cases, while all hospitals have been advised to set up round-the-clock fever corners. Medical and paramedical staff at the clinics have been sensitised about prevention and treatment of dengue. The government has also curbed sale of drugs reducing platelet counts such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Diclofenac group of medicines, which can be bought only with prescriptions.

Besides, Students of government and private schools have been brought into spread awareness on dengue.
DH News Service