Hindu Rao and Kasturba hospitals of the North Corporation, which are among the ‘Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals’ identified by the Delhi Government to deal with vector-borne diseases, have adopted Elisa method to diagnose cases of vector-borne diseases as per the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Health.
A senior doctor of Hindu Rao Hospital, said that the Elisa test is a latest technique to diagnose dengue. “Earlier NS-1 kits were used for the same purpose. Besides, lots of testing kits were available in the markets which were being used for testing but later on advice of experts it was decided to stop using it, considering panic among the resident due to the fraud positive result by these kits,” he said.
Taking measures to tackle with the cases, the hospital administration of North Corporation has taken a series of measures. Hindu Rao hospital, which has a capacity of 980 beds, has opened a separate dengue ward with 225 beds. While, Kasturba Hospital, with strength of 450 beds has allotted 60 beds to a separate dengue ward with a provision to increase the beds in case of an emergency.
Dr DK Seth, Director of Hospital Administration in North Corporation, said that both the hospitals are equipped with sufficient beds, essential medicines such as Iv fluid, Iv cannulas, drip sets, availability of required blood and platelets in enough quantity to meet with any eventualities. “Hospital in charge and medical superintendent, resident medical superintendents of various health institutions under North Corporation have been deputed to ensure the availability of all the machinery required,” he said.
Dr Seth further said that the name, designation and contact details of hospital staff have also been provided to the general public by prominent display board in both Hindi and English at public interface places like casualty, OPD Pharmacy and emergency ward etc. “All Grievances are also being dealt personally dealt with by the hospital Medical Superintendent on daily basis,” he added.
He further said “waiting time for patients are not be more than 15 minutes. The hospital administration has provided with an adequate number of workers to achieve cleanliness and hygienic environment in areas like causality emergency ward and other areas of the hospital”.
A senior official of NMC said that hospitals have been instructed to keep the adequate availability of dengue testing kits for proper diagnosis. “They have been told to ensure that there is adequate staff, beds, blood/platelets ready to tackle the bi-annual cycle of dengue and malaria in the city,” he said.
He further said that taking experience from previous year, the leave applications of all the doctors, nurses and other related have been cancelled till the season end.
The city hospitals started reporting an increase in vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria and other monsoon-related diseases like viral fever and common flu early this year. Dengue, malaria and Chikungunya have regularly been plaguing the city and figures speak for themselves.