Increase beds for dengue patients: Walia to hospitals

Delhi government today directed state-run and private hospitals to increase the beds for dengue patients as the total number of cases in the national capital shot up to 1,355.
Delhi Health and Family Welfare Minister A K Walia asked the medical superintendents of 34 government hospitals to have dedicated beds for dengue patients.
He also impressed upon private hospitals to add at least five bed each to the list of beds dedicated for dengue patients.
Noting the rise in dengue cases, he said that no patient should be denied diagnosis and treatment.
It has been observed that the relatives of the patients have to rush from one hospital to another in search of proper diagnosis and treatment, the minister said.

At present, there are 34 government hospitals having 558 dedicated beds.

Increase in beds in both government and private hospitals will provide much needed relief to the patients and lead to better management and care of dengue patients, he said.
He also asked the medical superintendents to constitute special inquiry committees to probe into the death of patients due to dengue.
The committees would meet frequently to assess the handling of such cases, he said, adding it will enable the hospital administration to review their preparedness.
Reviewing the situation of dengue in the state at a high-level meeting he emphasised that with increase in bed strength, quantum of medical facilities must also be proportionately increased.

The Blood Banks must also maintain their performance at the optimum level to ensure timely and adequate availability of platelets to dengue patients, he said.
The Minister said that the government will provide all support in terms of platelets supply, availability of staff, supply of medicines and other consumables.
Necessary instructions have been issued to the Health Department to ensure their regular supply as per requirement, Walia said.
He also directed the Health Officials of the local bodies to improve anti-larval measures and step up fogging and vigilance of Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBCs). Medical Superintendents of the Hospitals were asked to check overhead and underground water tanks within their premises to ensure that there is no mosquito breeding.

He appealed the Heads of the Offices, Educational Institutions, RWA, Industrial Associations and Market Federations to ensure that all the tanks within their premises were kept clean and free from mosquito breeding.