Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
India

Dengue Kills Three More In Delhi, Kejriwal Government Caps Tests At Rs.600

IANS, 16 Sep, 2015 04:34 PM
  • Dengue Kills Three More In Delhi, Kejriwal Government Caps Tests At Rs.600
Dengue claimed the lives of three more people in the national capital -- a 41-year-old woman, a seven-year-old boy and a 14-year-old -- taking the toll to 16, even though officially the toll stayed at five. The Delhi government fixed Rs.600 as the maximum any private hospital can charge for dengue tests.
 
Monika Bahl of Lajpat Nagar area died at Moolchand Hospital of dengue shock syndrome leading to multi-organ failure on Monday morning. Doctors said she was brought to the hospital following fever and vomiting. Her death was reported on Wednesday.
 
"She was shifted to the ICU three days after admission when she developed respiratory problems. She tested positive for dengue antibody test, which means she had contracted the disease earlier, and this time again," Srikant Sharma, senior consultant for internal medicine at Moolchand Hospital, told IANS.
 
The seven-year-old boy was brought in critical condition on Wednesday morning to B.L. Kapoor Hospital in Rajinder Nagar of west Delhi and died within a few hours, while the teenager was admitted to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital in Punjabi Bagh area of west Delhi two days ago and died on Tuesday, hospital sources told IANS.
 
Delhi's civic bodies have so far confirmed only five dengue deaths in the capital and the number of cases as 1,872. However, deaths caused by dengue have gone up to at least 14 as tracked by IANS. Civic bodies tote up the figures officially only on a weekly basis, and release or confirm the deaths only every Monday.
 
The Delhi government has also asked private hospitals to keep the dengue testing cap at Rs.600.
 
"We have come to know that private hospitals are overcharging for dengue tests. That is why we've decided to fix a cap on these tests for the private hospitals and laboratories. Nobody can charge anything beyond this rate," said Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain.
 
There are three tests for dengue -- NS1 antigen test, dengue antibody test and the platelet count test.
 
 
The government has fixed a cap of Rs.600 each for the first two tests and Rs.50 for the platelet count test, the minister said.
 
The state government has also instructed private hospitals to increase their bed count by 10-20 percent within a week.
 
"If the private hospitals successfully increase the number of beds, there will be an average increase of at least 3,000 beds for patients in the capital. These will be used only for fever and dengue patients and no private hospital should turn away patients," he said.
 
On the dengue deaths in the capital, Jain said: "This is not an outbreak but people are in panic. I appeal to the people to try and avoid mosquito bite during day time. People should understand their responsibility. They shouldn't let water collect in pots, pans, tyres and utensils."
 
He also urged people not to indulge in "self medication" and said they should "take medicines only on the prescription of doctors".
 
"But they should not pressurise hospitals to get themselves admitted. If a doctor feels a patient needs to be admitted, he will do it," said Jain.
 
On the shortage of beds at Safdarjung Hospital, Jain said: "I have spoken to (union Health Minister) J.P. Nadda yesterday (Tuesday) and requested him to look into the matter."
 
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and medical experts trained party volunteers across Delhi on Wednesday so that they could spread awareness on the dengue prevention and treatment.

MORE India ARTICLES

'India's Surgical Strike On Myanmar Border Message To Pakistani Terrorists'

'India's Surgical Strike On Myanmar Border Message To Pakistani Terrorists'
Questions were raised if India would pursue a similar policy along its Western border with Pakistan, inviting a sharp reaction from the other side.

'India's Surgical Strike On Myanmar Border Message To Pakistani Terrorists'

Aspiring Country Singer Derek Kehler From Canada Dies In Australia

Aspiring Country Singer Derek Kehler From Canada Dies In Australia
The Daily Telegraph in Sydney says Derek Kehler died on Monday along with his companion, Helena Curic of Australia, while they were camping in a makeshift cabin in the Blue Mountains northwest of Sydney.

Aspiring Country Singer Derek Kehler From Canada Dies In Australia

Rising Porn Addiction In Indian Youth Worrying: Experts

Rising Porn Addiction In Indian Youth Worrying: Experts
While young adults across several Western countries are feeling the ill-effects of excessive online porn, the sudden spurt in online access has also put Indian teenagers at such risk, warn behavioural experts.

Rising Porn Addiction In Indian Youth Worrying: Experts

Senators Invoke Duffy Trial As They Push Back Against Auditor General's Report

Senators Invoke Duffy Trial As They Push Back Against Auditor General's Report
OTTAWA — For some senators, the Auditor General's scrutiny of their expenses sent them hurtling right into the Mike Duffy dimension.

Senators Invoke Duffy Trial As They Push Back Against Auditor General's Report

Delhi Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar Resigns

Delhi Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar Resigns
A bitter battle between the central and AAP governments worsened on Tuesday as police arrested Delhi's Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar amid high drama and secured a four-day police custody over his alleged fake degree.

Delhi Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar Resigns

Punjabi Singer Dharampreet, Known For Sad Songs, Commits Suicide

Punjabi Singer Dharampreet, Known For Sad Songs, Commits Suicide
The 38-year-old singer, who made name for singing in traditional style, will be cremated in Bathinda later Tuesday, his family said

Punjabi Singer Dharampreet, Known For Sad Songs, Commits Suicide