Health Department yet to make arrangements to counter dengue

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 26

Dengue cases have already started surfacing in the city, but the Health Department has not taken adequate measures to counter the deceased. Recently, two cases of dengue were reported from the city. Around 12 patients suspected of dengue reached the Civil Hospital.

While dengue has started spreading its wings gradually in the city, the ill-preparedness of the Civil Hospital came to the fore as it has failed to conduct fogging and awareness drives in the district urging residents not to let water accumulated in surroundings. The dengue ward has not been made functional till now and patients with suspected of dengue are admitted to different wards.

A 62-year-old man from Hazura Kapura colony and a 25-year-old girl from Guru Ki Nagri suffering from dengue were admitted to Max Hospital a few days ago.

Medical lab attendants at the Civil Hospital also confirmed that one or two suspected dengue cases had been coming to the laboratory every week for the past one month.

When contacted, Civil Surgeon Hari Narain Singh, said, “We have formed teams to sensitise people through field activities. I have also instructed the senior medical officers to ready with a plan to counter the dengue menace in the district as cases of the disease usually start coming around this time.”

When asked as to why fogging has not been conducted by the Health Department, the Civil Surgeon said, “Fogging is only done when a number of dengue cases come up from a single location or areas which are most vulnerable.”