Dengue menace: Centre asks Delhi govt to increase hospital beds

Amidst a rise in the number of dengue cases, the Union Health Ministry on Monday asked Delhi government to increase bed strength in state hospitals and check overcharing of patients by private hospitals.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda, after chairing a review meeting on preparedness regarding dengue in Delhi, said that the process of increasing bed strength in central government hospitals in Delhi is already underway.

"Delhi government has been asked to expedite increase in the bed strength for dengue patients in state hospitals. Health Ministry directed Delhi government to check overcharging of dengue patients by private hospitals," Nadda tweeted after the meeting.

The move comes after Union Health Ministry ordered an inquiry and also sought a report from Delhi government by September 14 into an incident where parents of a seven-year- old boy suffering from dengue committed suicide after he was allegedly denied treatment by five private hospitals.

Following the incident, Nadda had asserted that "guilty will not be spared" and action will be taken against those who have not followed Union Health Ministry protocol laid down for dengue treatment.
Nadda after the review meeting today, said, "Increase in the bed strength for dengue patients in Central Government's hospitals already underway."

According to official data of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, 1,259 cases of dengue have been reported in the national capital this year till September 5. Two dengue deaths have been officially reported and in both cases victims were from north Delhi. The MCD is yet to include six other deaths reported across the city in the official list.

The Delhi government has already ordered 1,000 new beds to be bought to accommodate dengue patients in the wake of the suicide by the parents of the boy. The government in Delhi has also slapped show cause notices on five leading hospitals of the national capital threatening cancellation of registration.

The show causes were issued to Moolchand Hospital, Aakash Hospital (Malviya Nagar), Saket City Hospital, Max Hospital (Saket) and Irene Hospital (Kalkaji) for their alleged refusal to admit a patient and have been asked to reply within one month as to why their registration should not be cancelled.