“We had requested Mr Nadda to reserve at least 10 per cent beds (1,000 beds) in the central government-run hospitals, like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, etc., for treatment of dengue and chikungunya cases, to which he (Nadda) agreed”, Jain told reporters after the meeting.
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The Death Review Committee in its report, which was released on Saturday by the Delhi government, has, however, only reviewed almost 20 cases.
Earlier, the Delhi government had shared helpline numbers of municipal corporations, which residents can call to make inquiries or request fogging of their area. In at least three death cases attributed to chikungunya and four death cases attributed to dengue, the committee ruled out the hospital’s report citing lack of supportive documents.
Ever since the first death due to “chikungunya complications” was reported, there has been a debate as to whether chikungunya can prove fatal or not.
“At a time when people are dying of chikungunya, the statement by the health minister that people can not die of chikungunya shows his insensitivity and ignorance”, Maken said while launching a fogging drive by Delhi Pradesh Traders Congress here. “The government should assure the best medical treatment to the people”, she said.
Out of the 15 deaths, Apollo Hospital has reported five, while AIIMS, Hindu Rao Hospital and PSRI recorded one death each.
“While we are saying that chikungunya can not kill we are not taking it any less seriously”. So, no need to panic. “Chikungunya caused one mortality and 65 patients were admitted”, said a statement issued by the hospital. “And, so these co-morbid conditions led to their death and not chikungunya per se”, a top official said.
Not everyone who have died due to dengue are from Delhi, there are many from neighbouring states too.
Gulab Chand Gupta (70) from Lajpat Nagar in south Delhi, died on September 12, a family member yesterday said. “If the patient is positive for chikungunya, it is clear that the virus has led to complications and death”, said a doctor, who did not want to be quoted.
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Meanwhile, in another order Jain said that due to dengue and chikungunya outbreak, all the “mohalla clinics”, polyclinics and dispensaries will remain open on all days including Sundays and Gazetted holidays during their working hours till October 30.
