Docs told to survey patients

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 23

As the official figure on the number of patients died and suffering from jaundice remains disputed, the Health Department has directed chief medical officers (CMOs) and block medical officers (BMOs) to survey the patients getting treatment in private hospitals.

The list of nine patients, who died of jaundice and other medical complications, were discussed at a meeting chaired by Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur. But health officials confirmed that only four died, while five other deaths occurred due to other medical complications.

Mayor Sanjay Chauhan and Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar and BJP Shimla MLA Suresh Bharadwaj have been accusing the Health Department of hiding the number of deaths and patients in the city.

“If one goes by health expert estimates, more than 10,000 have been affected by the jaundice outbreak in the city”, claimed the Mayor.

Additional Chief Secretary Vineet Chaudhary said four deaths due to the jaundice outbreak had been confirmed, while 1,576 had tested positive for jaundice. “Five other deaths reported were due to co-morbid medical condition and hence we cannot say for sure they died of jaundice alone”, he added.

He said the jaundice outbreak had shown signs of decline as the number of cases had declined from 60 cases in early February to about 14 cases - 17 being reported each day this week.

State diseases surveillance officer Dr Rakesh Bhardwaj said they had to examine whether five other deaths were due to jaundice or not. “We have confirmed four deaths due to jaundice. Fourteen fresh cases were reported today, taking the total to 1,566”, he added.