984 dengue cases in Patna reported in 3 months

PATNA: The number of persons suffering from dengue has been rising as 984 positive cases have been reported to the Bihar State Health Society in the city and 1,518 across the state in the last three months. Similarly, 460 positive cases of chikungunya have been reported in the city and 538 in the state so far since August first week.

Kankarbagh and Patna City areas have been worst affected in the state capital. The number of cases might be higher as many small clinics and diagnostic labs do not report these cases to the state health society.

Keeping in view of the rise in dengue and chikungunya cases, the state health department has directed the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) to increase the number of beds in their dengue wards. PMCH has a 20-bed dengue ward whereas NMCH has a 10-bed facility for patients suffering from this disease.

Principal secretary (health) R K Mahajan on Saturday reviewed the availability of necessary equipment for diagnostic and treatment in medical colleges as well as the measures to prevent the spread of dengue and chikungunya in the city.

It was decided at the meeting to provide extra 500 and 200 rapid diagnostic kits (RDK) to PMCH and NMCH, respectively. The number of platelets available in the blood banks of the two hospitals was also reviewed and both PMCH and NMCH were asked to always keep 10 and 5 packet platelets available, respectively.

PMCH administration was also directed to make the necessary equipment such as reagents, cotton and gloves available in the microbiology lab within three days. The hospital has also been directed to carry out a blood donation camp on the hospital premises. Patients had also been reporting the shortage of platelets in hospitals, including in PMCH. Principal in-charge of PMCH Dr Vijay Kumar Gupta said there were very few donors during the festival period. “We have many patients from other districts also. We provide nearly 40 packets of platelets to patients every day,” he said.

The health department has also directed the Patna Municipal Corporation to repair the defunct portable fogging machines. PMC has ten vehicle-mounted fogging machines and the health department had ordered to purchase five more.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the health department, state health society, PMC, vector-borne disease control programme, PMCH and NMCH.