To avoid any delay in treating patients suffering from vector-borne diseases, the Hindu Rao Hospital and Kasturba Hospital of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) have provided a single window facility for the entire requirement of the patients. A special fever clinic ward is being operated in both the hospitals such as medicine counter, lab to test blood sample, a team of experts including doctors, lab technicians, pharmacists and others are available at fever clinics.
Dr DK Seth, Director of hospital administration in NMC said that around 100 to 150 patients visit the fever clinics daily. “After diagnosing patients, we decide to shift them in general wards, ICU or let them go home,” he said.
He further said that Gambusia fish has been released in Baolis at Hindi Rao hospital to curb the breeding at initial stages. “Prevention can be done by eliminating the breeding of mosquitoes at initial stage,” he said.
“We are also educating patients and their relatives on the symptoms and how to prevent the disease,” said Seth.
“The blood banks at the fever clinics are also prepared to deal with the immediate requirements. Further, enough manpower with new and updated pieces of equipment has been deployed. The blood bank in charge will be held responsible in case of any shortage. Emergency lab services have been set up to provide round the clock by providing adequate staff providing all resources and developing a fast system of delivering patient reports,” he said.
Preety Agarwal, Mayor of North Delhi, while talking to The Pioneer said “We are determined to curb these diseases at any cost. The facilities that are being provided in both the hospitals are results of hard work of our doctors.
“We are working to reduce the cases on war basis. The reported cases are also being treated in well prepared manner. Both the hospitals have been instructed to take extra precaution in dealing with the cases,” she said. The Mayor further said that she have been visiting hospitals regularly to inspect the facilities.
A senior doctor of Kasturba hospital said that all patients of dengue have been kept within mosquito nets to break the cycle of spread. “We have also appointed a nodal officer to arrange the special session to sensitise the staff such as interns, junior residents’ paramedical staff, lab staff, and nurses. Further, a coordination committee has been set up to meet at least once a week or when required to discuss the progress,” he said.
Vector-borne diseases are reported between mid-July and November-end. Cases of all the three vector-borne diseases were reported much earlier this time, which doctors had attributed to the early arrival of the monsoon. Dengue and chikungunya are caused by Aedes agypti mosquito, which breeds in clear water. Anopheles mosquito, which causes malaria, can breed in both fresh and muddy water.