Don't deny admission to dengue patients: Delhi Govt to hospitals

With the city witnessing a spurt in dengue cases, Delhi Government has issued an advisory to all hospitals asking them not to deny admission to patients affected by the vector-borne disease and postpone elective procedures so that such patients could be given proper care.

"With the number of dengue cases rising, the Directorate of Health Services issued an advisory to all government and private hospitals directing them not to deny admission to such patients if needed be," Dr Charan Singh, in-charge of the vector-borne control programme in Delhi Government, said.

As per the advisory, hospitals have been asked to try and postpone elective procedures (surgery that is scheduled in advance and does not involve a medical emergency) so that these large number of dengue patients can be given proper medical care.

"We have asked them to try and postpone elective procedures to allow proper medical care to maximum number of dengue patients. Dedicated dengue wards have been opened in government hospitals and we are consistently monitoring the situation," Singh said, adding that due to the sudden rush many hospitals have been forced to devote a large number of beds to dengue patients.

Related read: 830 cases of dengue recorded this year; August reports highest number at 778 cases

Besides, the Health Department has also ordered all government blood banks to stock enough platelets and has also asked private blood banks to ensure their availability at nominal rates. As many as 831 cases of dengue have been reported this year till August 29 in the national capital, the highest number for the period in the last five years, according to a municipal report released yesterday. However, officials from the city's municipal corporations and Health Department of Delhi government could not furnish information on the latest number of dengue cases.

The last figure released by the municipal corporation was till Aug 29. The August month has reported its highest number, with cases rising to an alarming 778. At least 780 cases were reported till August 28, and among the fresh 250 cases last week, included a Palestinian diplomat and his two sons.