After one Sukramani Munda (40) of Ward-8 of Barbil in Keonjhar district died of dengue on Thursday, the situation has assumed further alarming proportions in the town. CHC sources revealed that the number of dengue positive cases has gone up to 300 though the actual number could be over 400.
Meanwhile, Keonjhar Collector Dr N Tirumala Naik and National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme Joint Director Dr MM Prahran rushed to the town to take stock of the situation.
However, here they had to face the wrath of the public for the bad drainage system, shortage and non-availability of doctors and machines for blood test and other deficiencies to tackle the situation.
Padmashree Tulasi Munda complained that crores of rupees from Barbil go to the Government exchequer, but there was not adequate infrastructure in the CHC for various tests.
One Sarbeswar Mishra complained that the emergency ward of the hospital was remaining closed for 2 hours in day time and totally after 5 pm. He demanded that the 24 hours emergency services of the hospital should continue.
One Indrajit Jadav complained that drains were not regularly cleaned for which the people were living in very unhygienic condition and demanded regular cleaning of the drains and release of the stagnant water.
After hearing the complaint, the Collector asked Barbil Municipality Executive Officer PK Jena to take steps to clean the drainage system. Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak who reached on Friday afternoon asked Barbil Municipality Chairman Dilip Mishra to take steps to utilize the upstairs of the hospital to accommodate more indoor patients. CHC In-Charge Dr Dhal was present.
Nayak also asked the administration to send the dengue-related report from Keonjhar by e-mal to avoid delay. He also declared to form a committee to address the crisis.