हिंदी
Chandigarh, September 12 – Haryana Health Department’s efforts to ensure finest medical facilities without burning a hole in the pocket of the common man can be seen as the state is the first in the Northern region to start a new initiative of Free Single Donor Platelets (SDP) facility for Dengue patients in the state. Besides, the dengue test is being done free of cost in government laboratories across the state.
While on one hand the Department has been on its toes to ensure containment of COVID-19 but on the other it has been monitoring the prevalence of other diseases like Dengue as well.
Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Mr. Rajeev Arora said that there has been a decreasing trend of Dengue in the state since 2017 and so far only 33 confirmed dengue cases have been reported in the state in the month of September, 2020. The cases have been reported from mainly two districts Gurugram (20) and Bhiwani (10). Sharing further details he said that with an aim to prevent mortality due to Dengue, new initiative i.e. the provision of free Single Donor Platelets (SDP) has been made for dengue patients admitted in Government Hospitals as some dengue patients with severe thrombocytopenia requires SDP for immediate recovery. “In previous years, Rs 8,500 per unit SDP was being charged in Government Hospitals. However, in northern region, Haryana is the first state to start Free Single Donor Platelets (SDP) facility for dengue patients. At present, SDP Facility (Platelets Apheresis Machine) is available in District Gurugram, Panchkula, Karnal, Rohtak and Sonipat.
Divulging more details he further added that the dengue test is being done free of cost in government laboratories. “In all 27 SSHs (Dengue Testing Labs) are presently functional in the state. In addition dengue sampling has also started at Flu corners for suspected Dengue cases in district Bhiwani and Rohtak as mostly cases are reported from these districts,” he added. Stating that the Department has ensured best medical facilities he informed that adequate testing kits (both IgM and NSI) are available in all SSHs. Furthermore about 1,158 tests have been conducted in the state by the first week of September 2020 apart from identifying dedicated beds for Dengue patients. Meanwhile, mosquito proofing of wards and beds is being done in Civil Hospitals.
Sprucing up the facilities further for strengthening of Entomological Surveillance & vector control activities, two Entomological Zones have been set up in District Nuh and Yamunanagar. Two more Entomological Zones are being set up in District Rohtak and Hisar. “Under these Zones, one post of Entomologist and two posts of Insect Collector have been provided. This staff will conduct entomological studies which will help in deciding appropriate vector control measures,” asserted Mr. Arora.
He further stated that VBDs control measures are continued in the State amid COVID-19 activities since the beginning. In containment zones of COVID-19, fever surveillance and source reduction activities have been clubbed with COVID-19 activities. Outside the containment zones, all activities are being undertaken as routine. For the strengthening of source reduction activities (identification of mosquito breeding sites), about 280 Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBCs) have been deployed. Moreover, weekly anti-larval activities are being done and Temephos larvicide is applied wherever required. Distribution of about 4.86 lakhs LLINs (insecticidal bednets) has been completed in all identified high risk villages. To ensure proper use of LLINs announcement from temples/mosques is done at local sleeping time to alert public to go inside Nets. Fogging is also being done immediately after reporting of any confirmed case of dengue or other VBDs and also depending upon vector density. Other Departments is also being involved for proper water management. At least one Inter-sectoral meeting has been convened in all Districts under the Chairmanship of respective Deputy Commissioner.
Among other efforts being made to make the public aware, various IEC/BCC activities like distribution of pamphlets, prominent display of hoardings/banners/posters, newspaper advertisements, bulk SMS etc. are also being carried out since the beginning of the year.
Mr. Arora appealed to the general public to take up house-hold level activities to prevent mosquito breeding. For example, every Sunday should be considered as Drying Day i.e. emptying of water containers and check other probable mosquito breeding sites like cooler, overhead tanks, drum, discarded utensils, cups, bottles, tyres, pots, fridge tray etc., wear full sleeve clothes and use of mosquito repellents should be done.
He further said that Disease incidence is monitored on a daily basis and a vigil has been kept on the trend of dengue and other Vector Borne Diseases. Dengue situation is well under control in the State despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation.
