Man dies of malaria in Delhi, 'first' fatality in 5 years

A 30-year-old man from east Delhi has died of cerebral malaria at a hospital here, in what could be the first fatality due to this vector-borne disease in the national capital in the past five years.

Praveen Sharma, a resident of Mandawali, died at Safdarjung Hospital Sunday evening after suffering multi- organ failure triggered by malarial complications.

"He was brought to our hospital in a very bad shape and was already suffering from cerebral malaria. He died of multi-organ failure and other complications," Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital A K Rai today said.

Praveen was brought to Safdarjung Hospital from Max Hospital in Patparganj area in east Delhi where he was admitted on August 28 after being diagnosed with malaria, a family member said.

The victim's cousin, Rajan Sharma, alleged that "Praveen was admitted to Max Hospital with 102-degree fever but later the temperature shot up to 107 degrees, after which he was put on ventilator and his condition worsened. But the hospital authorities did not tell us his condition. We were not updated on his condition."

Max Hospital authorities, however, denied the charge, and in a statement, claimed, "During the time of admitting, he (Praveen) was suffering from high temperature with chills, vomiting, difficulty in breathing and came in an unconscious state.

"Upon examination by emergency doctors, he was diagnosed as suffering from cerebral malaria and sepsis. The patient was immediately intubated and put on ventilator support."

The hospital further said Praveen's condition was "monitored closely by leading experts" and he was provided "treatment as per standard protocols".

"The family was also timely informed about his critical condition," it said, and further claimed the patient was discharged from Max Hospital on September 2, after his attendants "insisted on shifting" him to another hospital.

Patparganj area falls under the Assembly constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

"People are busy doing politics, but common man is suffering from dengue, chikungunya and malaria. AAP boasts of mohalla clinics and BJP-ruled MCD has failed to combat the health situation," Rajan alleged.

According to website of National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), no death has occurred due to malaria in Delhi in five years from 2012 till July.

At least 19 malaria cases have been reported in Delhi this season till September 3, according to civic bodies.

"Praveen was married three years ago and is survived by his wife and one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. He was a very good student in school days and once had even interacted with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a student," he said.