Hospitals erring on dengue, swine flu to face action: ADC

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 30

The district administration has asked the Health Department to take action against private hospitals if they fail to report the cases of swine flu, dengue, malaria and chikungunya.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Ravinder Singh, at a meeting of health officials, asked them to write to the Medical Council of India (MCI) against errants, recommending cancellation of their registration.

The move has come in the wake of reports that private hospitals, due to their vested interests, do not report such cases. “In case of swine flu, it has been seen that private hospitals continue with the treatment of patients but refer them to medical college only when the infection becomes severe and chances of patient’s survival are minimal,” said an official.

District Epidemiologist Dr Madan Mohan said if such patients were reported immediately, the department would be able to provide them better medical treatment. “Patients have to spent around Rs 5,000 or Rs 6,000 for lab tests at private medical institutions. At government labs, these are done free of cost. Besides, most of the private labs are not recognised and variations in their reports have been seen in the past few years,” he said.

Civil Surgeon Dr Narinder Kaur, in an appeal to peole, said they should recommend suspected patients in their circle to prefer treatment for swine flu and dengue. “Patients should not let them being exploited by few private hospitals which do not report such cases to the department. In future, if it is revealed that a private hospital hasn’t reported such cases, strict action will be taken,” she said.

No case of swine flu and dengue has been reported in the district so far. The department has asked the people to report to their nearest government facility in case they come across with any symptom of swine flu or dengue.