"No one died of dengue," says TS Health Minister; Activists demand health emergency

Hyderabad: In the wake of increasing cases of seasonal diseases in Hyderabad, Health Minister Eatala Rajender held a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the health department at the GHMC office in Hyderabad. However, the minister said though 700 dengue cases have been registered in August no single person died because of the disease.

“Positive cases in 2019 were less when compared to 2017 and this time, platelets transfusion required in only 5 per cent of dengue patients”, the minister added.

Given the massive rush of patients to government hospitals in the state, the Health Minister directed the officials to increase OP counters and start individual queues for patients who come in with a severe health condition.

Following the meeting, the minister personally took stock of the situation at the Nallakunda Fever hospital meeting patients at the OP and dengue ward.

Gandhi Hospital Superintended Dr Sravan Kumar said, “Nobody had died of dengue in Gandhi hospital so far. However, with dengue fever spreading like wildfire its high time that GHMC take steps to contain the disease”.

“Both dengue and seasonal flu have similar symptoms like platelet count drops. Because of this, people come in worried whether they are suffering from dengue” Dr Sravan said.

“GHMC has to take up the responsibility of awareness programs. Waterlogging has to be cleared immediately. They should also take care of regular fogging. So far there is no such action from the government”, he added.

Ministers Malla Reddy, Ministers Mahmood Ali, Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, GHMC Commissioner Dana Kishore were also present at the meeting.

Child Health Organization Files Petition

Finding fault with the Telangana government’s negligence in taking measures against the spreading of viral diseases including Dengue, Malaria, Typhoid, etc., Child Rights Organisation has filed a petition with the Human Rights Commission demanding the government declare a health emergency in the state.

Children are falling victims to these viral fevers particularly in slum areas, said the Child Rights Organisation in its petition while demanding the Telangana government to set up special clinics in slum areas and places where poor people live in large number.

Achyuta Rao, President, Child Rights Organisation, said: “We demand the government to declare a health emergency in the state. The government must set up special clinics in slum areas and where poor people live. Holiday for school students in viral disease-hit areas should be declared.”

According to statistics, in Gandhi hospital, 200 people tested positive while in Osmania hospital, 171 and Fever hospital, around 50.