6 cases of dengue, 2 of swine flu reported

Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 14

Despite tall claims of the District Health Department on preparedness to deal with dengue, malaria and swine flu, these diseases have started showing their presence.

According to the Civil Hospital record, six cases of dengue, two of swine flu and 37 of malaria have been registered at the hospital till date.

Despite the fact that the health authorities have made it mandatory for all private hospitals to report such cases, the hospitals and doctors do not bother to intimate the Health Department.

Moreover, due to the inappropriate functioning of the community health centres and sub-divisional hospitals, patients of these diseases at times go unreported.

District epidemiologist Dr Rajpal Singh said if the patients suffering from these diseases report immediately to the hospital, the department would be able to provide them proper treatment.

“Patients don’t have to spend money on lab tests at private medical institutions. At government labs, these are done free of cost,” he added.

Civil Surgeon Hari Narayan Singh, said, “If the private hospitals do not report to the civil hospital regarding diseases including dengue, malaria and swine flu, in these circumstances we cannot pressurise them to immediately report to us. I prefer to write a letter to the state health department related to this issue.”

On being asked about dengue, malaria and swine flu cases registered at the Civil Hospital, he said, “Although we are trying our best to curb the menace of such diseases, there is a possibility to put some extra efforts. I will give directions to the officials concerned to make more efforts on creating awareness related to such diseases,” he added.