In the wake of rising cases of dengue across the State, BJP spokesperson Sameer Mohanty in Thursday blamed the Health Department for its inability to curb the menace.
He alleged that the Government is trying to conceal the facts about the extent of the menace and held Health Minister Damodar Rout fully responsible for the worsening situation.
Even after the virus is spreading in a majority of the districts, Rout is unconcerned about the situation, Mohanty said. While 12 persons have died of dengue in the SCB Medical College Hospial in Cuttack in a period of a month, with the latest toll of three on Wednesday, which has created panic in the State, he said.
“There is no doubt that an increasing number of patients are dying of dengue, but the doctors are silent about it coming under the pressure of Rout.,” Mohanty alleged, adding that the statements of doctors and the Health Minister and Secretary that the patients are dying due to other reasons are ridiculous. Even unwritten directives have been given to hide the register of the dengue patients, he further alleged.
Mohanty demanded a factual report on the number of dengue patients under treatment and the number of patients dead in the State.
Dengue cases soar to 2,213
With 126 persons tested dengue positive on Thursday, the total number of dengue-affected persons in the State reached 2,213.
Cuttack district recorded the highest number of 902 dengue cases followed by Khurda with 404.
While 32 persons from Angul district tested dengue positive on Thursday, four from Baleswar, 17 from Dhenknal, three from Jagatsinghpur, 12 from Jajpur, 40 from Khurda, one from Nayagarh, two from Puri and three from Sambalpur tested positive, said a Press release issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department.