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Dengue patients start surfacing in Siliguri

Amid claims made by the state government and the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) that they have started round-the-year drives against…

Dengue patients start surfacing in Siliguri

Dr Rudranath Bhattarcharya

Amid claims made by the state government and the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) that they have started round-the-year drives against the deadly dengue, patients suffering from the mosquito-borne disease have started trickling in at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri, months before the disease usually makes an on slaught.

The state government has said it has initiated intensive awareness programmes round the year. Chairman of the Patient Welfare Committee (PWC) of the NBMCH, Dr Rudranath Bhattarcharya, said at least two-three dengue patients have been visiting the health facility.

He also accused the SMC of not carrying out proper cleanliness campaigns. “Two-three dengue patients are visiting the NBMCH. However, they are not being admitted. It is very unfortunate that the civic body is not taking steps to clean areas. If cleanliness drives are not made in a proper manner, many such patients will throng hospitals soon,” said Dr Bhattacharya, who is also the chairman of the Siliguri District Hospital PWC.

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He held a PWC meeting at the hospital on Wednesday. It may be mentioned that the dengue outbreak, which earlier used to wane with the onset of the winter season, did not show signs of ebbing until late into the winter season last year.

The population of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that causes dengue is known to reduce in the winter as the breeding process slows down with a dip in temperature.

Dr Bhattacharya, meanwhile, said that the Siliguri hospital was awarded with the Quality Assurance certificate. A quality assurance team of the union ministry of health and family welfare had visited the hospital in November last year.

The hospital is the only health facility in the state which has been awarded with the certificate this year. “They usually check the services, cleanliness, administration and overall infrastructure of the hospital. The hospital has scored 88%. It will now get Rs 20 lakh annually,” he added.

The hospital also plans to open an Out-patient department (OPD) for senior citizens from 3 pm to 5 pm soon. Initially, it would be open for three days a week, and later be functional for six days.

The hospital will also send a proposal to the health department on setting up of a nursing training school at 2nd mile in Siliguri.

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