A 35 -year-old woman — a close relative of Okhla’s AAP MlA Amanatullah Khan — died of dengue at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital on Friday. According to Apollo Hospital doctor, the patient was admitted to hospital on Thursday night. “She was suffering from fever. Her platelets were around 11,000 with low blood pressure. She succumbed on Friday,” said the doctor.
The death has been reported in the background of tall claims being made by the Delhi Government and municipal agencies about dengue preparedness launched in the city by them, said Delhiites, adding that every week the national Capital is witnessing spike in vector-borne disease.
With dengue emerging as public health threat, Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain on Wednesday had announced to start dengue test from September 1 at all the mohalla clinics (105), polyclinics (24), dispensaries (262) and Government Hospitals (33). As many as 300 fever clinics would be functional at all Government hospitals to diagnose people with dengue, Health Minister had announced last month.
With the spurt in dengue cases, the Delhi Government has decided to continue with the cap of Rs 600 for the test to diagnose the vector-borne disease and Rs 50 for ascertaining the platelet count in private hospitals.
last month The Pioneer had reported that a 17-year-old patient died of suspected dengue at State Government’s lok Nayak Hospital. So far the city has recorded two dengue suspected deaths this season. With a total of 171 dengue cases reported this season, till now the city has recorded 57 dengue cases.
It may be noted that last year Delhi recorded more than 15,000 dengue cases and claimed more than 60 lives as per the municipal data.