Influx of patients in pvt hospitals, but few cases trickling to health dept

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 19

With over 400 cases having been reported in the district in the past two months, the dengue cases in the district continue to witness a dramatic rise.

As many as 439 cases of dengue and 108 of chikungunya have so far been reported in the district.

While dengue and viral fever collectively have the entire city in its grip with a majority of the populace – especially in areas with poor sanitation witnessing a spare in cases of fever with reduced platelet count— the total number of suspected dengue patients at the local civil hospital are over 800.

However, even as half the tested patients have come out positive, residents of various places – even including localities where dengue deaths have been reported – claim majority of the local dengue cases are being treated at private hospitals and they were not even as confirmed as dengue positive as they don’t get tested.

While two cases were admitted at the dengue ward at the Civil Hospital today, majority of those admitted across general wards are those suffering from fever and other seasonal diseases.

Under reportage

While both MC and health teams started off the dengue season with enthusiastic drives across various areas, the motivation seems to be on the wane. Barring two day health camps in sensitive or areas with dengue deaths, the health department has not deputed any permanent staff at sensitive areas to carry out surveillance of patients. There is no mechanism in place in the district to ensure all low platelet fever cases or dengue suspects.

Residents in places like Nandanpur and Avatar Nagar – during outbreaks – had reported that none of the cases in their areas were sent to the Civil Hospital for dengue tests. Even some deceased have been ruled out as mere suspected cases of dengue in the district because they never got tested. Meanwhile, barring these areas, many district localities and individual cases are going under reported because their stats never reach the Civil Hospital. A doctor in a city area said, “At least 30 to 50 patients in the area’s private clinic are being reporting daily but none have been tested for the confirmatory dengue tests even though majority of the patients have reduced platelet count. While the doctor doesn’t report the cases, the people don’t even want to spend much and go to the Civil Hospital. There is no way to tell how much will be added to the dengue list if these patients are tested too.”

The fact that majority of the private establishments voluntary defaulters are not reporting their cases to the government authorities adds to the massive grey area.

104 helpline 

• On an average, 10 to 12 calls are being made to the 104 helpline regarding dengue every day. A majority of queries are regarding the diet to be followed during dengue and whether its tests were free. 
• District IDSP coordinator Dr Surinder Singh said, “All dengue suspected are readily being tested when reported at the Civil Hospital. We are also deputing teams in various areas from time to time and awareness is also being spread on the issue. As far as lack of reportage is concerned, unless we get a complaint or someone complains to the DC on the issue, we can’t intervene with a treatment or reportage pertaining to a private hospital. Efforts, however, are constantly made to ensure speedy and proper treatment of patients.”