Teen dies of Dengue in Hyderabad; Parents struggle to get body from hospital

Hyderabad: Hundreds are affected by viral fever epidemic in the twin cities. The Dengue claimed one more life on Saturday. Gowthami (16), a 10^th class student, suffering from Dengue fever was admitted in KIMS Hospital five days ago. Now, it’s the turn of her parents to undergo the pathetic condition as they’re unable to settle the hospital bill of Rs 7 lakh to get their daughter’s dead body back. Gowthami was on ventilation support.

“Gowthami’s father is a taxi driver. The family paid Rs 3 lakh from insurance and mobilized another 80,000 from relatives. But, they couldn’t mobiles the required amount to pay off the bill. The parents are helpless and pleading for public support to get the dead body of their daughter,” said one of the family members.

Gowthami’s death is the fourth one during the past week. With government hospitals in the city are flooded with patients suffering from viral fever and dengue, patients are left with no option, but rely on private hospitals. In private hospitals for a basic blood test for dengue patients have to shed between Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000. The average cost of dengue diagnosis and treatment ranges between Rs 5,000 and Rs 5 lakh.

However, the medical department officials claim that they’re fully equipped to handle the epidemic breakout. But, the helpless patients at the government hospitals in the city are suffering a lot owing to lack of medical staff. Adding to this, poor infrastructure facilities including beds, medicines and vaccine, are taking a toll on the patients.

Speaking to News Meter, Indian Medical Association (IMA) Telangana chapter President Dr Pradap Reddy said: “Considering the number of viral fevers, we’re taking all the possible measures. This is an epidemic disease and the focus at this stage should be on the number of infectious cases. Every life is important to us.”

“Municipalities and urban centers should maintain the standards of sanitation and cleanliness. It’s the responsibility of the state government and local bodies. It is also our role as a society to upgrade ourselves in maintaining high standards of cleanliness. Use filtered water that’s warmed twice for drinking and make sure there is no stagnant water in our neighbourhoods,” suggested the IMA President.

“The Dengue in initial stages is hundred per cent curable. Any case reported late to the hospital will be treated as an emergency case. The common symptoms of viral fever, Dengue fever are high temperature, severe body pains and dizziness. All patients who have these symptoms should visit the doctor and hospital”, IMA reminded in a press note.

A spurt in the number of Dengue cases in Telangana, especially in Hyderabad, has claimed more than 50 lives so far, according to the official records. Over the past month, 530 confirmed cases of Dengue have been reported in the state, of which more than 370 are from Hyderabad including three deaths reported this week. The actual number of deaths because of the vector-borne disease may be higher as doubts are being raised about the real numbers.