Alarming dearth of dengue kits in Koraput hospitals, patients panicky

At a time when dengue is fast raising its ugly head in Koraput district, shortage of dengue kits at Koraput Medical College and Jeypore Headquarters Hospital has made the situation more critical for dengue patients. 

According to sources, the unofficial number of dengue cases is much more than registered cases than the number of dengue cases registered in government medical records. The district has come under the red zone with dengue cases pouring in from Lakhmipur, Jeypore, Dasmantpur and Kotpad in particular. Though more than hundred dengue patients get admission in different hospitals every day, the state government has no record on it.

Meanwhile, a dearth of dengue kits in the district headquarters hospital and Koraput Medical College has been resented among patients who also complained they have been asked to come at 12pm for giving blood samples for dengue test. 

Besides, the hospital authorities do not receive blood test reports if patients do it in private pathology clinics.  As a result, patients are forced to get themselves treated at private hospitals.  In the process, private hospitals are raking in moolah with many patients banking on them.

Also, two machines for platelets counting in dengue fever have become defunct at Koraput hospital much to inconvenience of patients. In the absence of platelet counting machines, patients are being shifted to Berhampur and Visakhapatnam for advanced treatment.

Moreover, it is being alleged that the district administration is doing nothing to create awareness about the disease among its residents.

When contacted, Sushant Kumar Das, Chief District Medical Officer in-charge, said, “So far, 170 dengue patients have been identified. And the district health department is holding awareness rallies so that spread of the disease can be contained.