Form special wards in hospitals for dengue patients, says DC

With the change in weather, the Health Department is gearing up for medical exigencies like dengue and chikungunya outbreaks. In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney held a meeting today with officials of the Health Department to discuss measures to prevent incidence of dengue and chikungunya. She instructed the department to ensure fogging in areas prone to outbreaks. Doctors and health workers were asked to remain vigilant.

The DC emphasised the need for special wards in hospitals at the district and block levels for treating dengue and chikungunya patients. Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur assured that the Health Department has completed preparations to prevent the spread of these diseases.

The department has formed teams for fogging in hot spot areas, said the Civil Surgeon, adding that awareness campaigns have been completed in 1,246 schools of the district. She said the department has trained over 1,300 nursing students, 355 lab technicians and other healthcare workers to help deal with the vector-borne diseases.

Dr Kirandeep Kaur further stated that the Health Department has set up 16 teams in urban areas and 109 in rural areas to control dengue and chikungunya. These teams conduct breeding checks, spraying and awareness activities in all areas, he said.

The Municipal Corporation officials informed the Deputy Commissioner that the civic body has 52 fogging machines while the Health Department has three machines. Special dengue and chikungunya wards have been created at the district, sub-divisional and block level hospitals.

Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur appealed to the public to prevent waterlogging near their homes, which can lead to mosquito breeding. She also highlighted the common symptoms of dengue and chikungunya, such as high fever, headache and joint pain, and urged people to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of these symptoms. Treatment is provided free of cost in government institutions, she informed.