The Delhi Government has decided to open around 250 fever clinics across Delhi to cater to patients suffering from high fever during the dengue season. These clinics will be made operational from September when cases of dengue see a rise.
“To address the dengue problem this year we have decided to set up 200 to 250 fever clinics in the Capital. Tests for dengue will be conducted at these clinics and primary treatment for the same will also be provided here. These are fever clinics not dengue clinics as they will cater to all the patients suffering from fever since it is not possible for a person suffering from fever to know if he or she has dengue. And we cannot turn away a sick patient,” Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Tuesday.
Around 40 cases of the vector-borne disease have already been reported so far out of which, around 12 are from Delhi while other patients have come from other States.
The vector-borne disease claimed at least 80 lives in 2015, a year that saw 15,867 cases of dengue.
Sources in the Delhi Government said fever clinics will work like the mohalla (area) clinics that are aimed at providing good quality door-step medical facilities to people.
“These fever clinics will be set up in various localities of the city and work on the lines of mohalla clinics. Nodal officers will be appointed for these clinics. The government might also pool private clinics in this move,” an official said.
On Monday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda chaired a meeting with Jain and Mayors of Delhi’s all municipal corporations here to review the preparedness for prevention and control of dengue in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
In the meeting, Nadda assured all necessary help to the government in dealing with the situation. Nadda said that 33 surveillance labs, and two apex labs with advanced diagnostic facilities were adequately equipped to undertake dengue tests.