Only govt hospitals can confirm dengue: Vij

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 18

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij has directed all district hospitals to set up machines to conduct dengue test and blood component separators by May 31, so as to provide right treatment to patients suffering from dengue, chikungunya and vector-borne diseases.

Vij said no private hospital would be allowed to declare a person as suffering from dengue until it was confirmed by a laboratory of a civil hospital in Haryana. Therefore, elaborate arrangements of ‘ELISA’ test has been made in all government district hospitals to confirm dengue. He said machines for conducting dengue test and blood component separators would be provided in far off places as per requirement.

The minister also directed to set up special wards for affected patients and to maintain complete stock of necessary medicines. He directed the officers to pay special attention towards Mewat and other districts, which were affected with dengue and chikungunya last year. Besides, an awareness campaign would be run regarding protection from vector-borne diseases. Under the campaign, posters, pamphlets and banners would be placed at maximum number of places and assistance of print and electronic media would be sought for publicity.

Vij directed the AYUSH department to organise special camps as per requirement in all districts for the prevention of malaria, dengue, chikungunya and vector-borne diseases. Apart from this, directions have also been issued to start a toll-free number for assistance of such patients. He said various historical decisions were being taken by the state government to save people from these diseases which spread during monsoon season.

For this, directions are being issued to Deputy Commissioners of all districts in the state to prevent outbreak of vector-borne diseases, he added.