Nagpur: One more patient, a woman from Akola district, died at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) of
Scrub Typhus (ST) taking the toll to six.
However, state health minister Deepak Sawant has called upon the citizens not to panic. The minister also told not to panic from the other seasonal diseases like dengue and swine flu.
The minister was in the city to take stock of ST, swine flu and dengue. The sixth patient, Puja Avinash Raut from Akola district who had delivered a baby a few days ago, died at GMCH on August 27.
Though few ST cases have been reported from many districts in Vidarbha, no deaths have occurred in other districts. The deaths at GMCH include that of two patients from the city and other four from neighbouring districts in other states.
The minister held a meeting of doctors from GMCH and Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), public health officials, officials from Nagpur Municipal Corporation, civil surgeon etc. He also visited the GMCH ward with ST patients. IGMCH has reported four positive ST cases with no deaths.
“There are enough medicines for dealing with ST. There are tests available locally. Other infrastructure like ventilators are also there. So, there is no reason to worry,” said Sawant.
He said that NMC is geared up to handle the situation. There is some need of coordination between NMC, the health department and the medical colleges. Talking about the recent deaths in the regional mental hospital in the city, Sawant said the state was collaborating with NIMHANS, Bengaluru, for training the staff in mental hospitals in Maharashtra.
“There are 910 psychiatrists in the state but of these, less than half are in government sector. Audit of both deaths and referrals from mental hospital will be done. If there is any gap in treatment or referrals, the persons responsible will be taken to task,” he said.
