Concerned over increasing number of vector borne diseases in city, the state health department has directed Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) and district health officials to intensify anti-larvae drive and to impose fine on finding dengue mosquitoes larvae on any premises. As per the orders of principal secretary (health) Gauri Singh, the IMC has been directed to impose fine of finding larvae at hotels, malls, hostels, schools and other public and private premises.
Integrated Diseases Surveillance Programme nodal officer Dr Asha Pandit said, “IMC will start imposing fine on finding larvae from next Tuesday as there will be holidays in coming days.” IMC’s health department official Akhilesh Upadhyaya also confirmed about the orders and action to be taken. Dr Pandit said that the department has been running awareness drive on dengue but people’s participation is also important to control the menace.
Meanwhile, three more patients have been tested dengue positive in last two days with which the number of positive patients reached to 173, so far. “Three more patients, in the age of 16 to 61 years, have been confirmed of the disease. They are from Nehru Nagar, Kaushalya Puri and Residency area. The patients are recovering well and are discharged from the hospital,” Dr Pandit added.
One more ‘suspected’ patient dies
One more suspected patient succumbed to the deadly disease on Wednesday. It was the second death of suspected cases in last 15 days. An income tax officer had succumbed to the disease on September 4. Vishwanath Kaushal, resident of Piliyakhal, was tested dengue positive in a private hospital but his samples were not sent to health department. Family members of the deceased also alleged medical negligence on the part of MY Hospital administration and said that the patient was not admitted to the hospital even when he was in a critical condition.
“Doctors in MY Hospital didn’t admit the patient even when his condition was critical and sent us home after conducting a sonography. They said that the patient had only stomach ache and refused to admit,” Vinay Kaushal, deceased’s son said. He added that later they took the patient to Aurobindo Hospital where doctors claimed that his liver and kidneys were damaged due to dengue.
“After keeping patient for two days on ventilator, the doctors said on Tuesday that chances of patient’s survival are bleak and asked to take him back home. My father succumbed to the disease on Wednesday evening,” Vinay said. A complaint against the doctors of MY Hospital has been lodged with the divisional commissioner, he added.
Hospitals did not send samples to lab
Even after going through treatment in Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Science and Geetanjali Hospital at Aerodrome Road, no hospital had sent patient’s sample to health department for official confirmation of dengue. “We didn’t get samples of the patient and it is not even in the list of suspected patients. We will investigate the matter and will take appropriate action,” IDSP nodal officer Dr Asha Pandit said. “We will check why the doctors refused to admit the patient. If found the complaint true, will take action against duty doctors.”
Dr VS Pal
Superintendent, MY Hospital
Even CMHO not safe from dengue!
Even the highest authority in district health department, Chief Medical and Health Officer, who is responsible for monitoring people’s health and action against vector-borne diseases is not safe from dengue. His office was filled with mosquitoes and when he was asked about the same by the reporter, he directed the employees to spray mosquito repellent. “My office chamber is close and the scope for spraying mosquito repellent is less,” CMHO Dr Nayak said chuckling while reacting over the issue.
How to prevent dengue larvae
1) Empty, drain, or cover all things that can and may hold standing water. Barrels, trash cans, old tires, coolers, etc tend to collect water which should not be allowed.
2)Always place a tight lid on containers used for water storage (buckets, drums).
3) Verify that there are no larvae in stored water (empty the container, wash walls with a brush to remove eggs, rinse, and cover).
4)Maintain running water in fountains, artificial lakes or estuaries.
5) Empty ornamental fountains that are not in use.
6) Clean animal drinking bowls every day, taking care to wash away eggs.