Deaths due to Dengue haunts Balasore DHH, patients flee to other hospitals

Balasore: Fear of imminent death has started haunting people here as one patient after another, particularly children, succumb to dengue while undergoing treatment at Balasore District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).

While one child, Susant Barik from Betagadia village under Baliapala block of the district was admitted to the DHH after he was detected with dengue, he died on Friday.

Another patient, Ratnakar Hajira from Kashipur village who was referred to the DHH after testing positive for the disease at the local hospital, ran away from the hospital after the death of Susant. Not only Ratnakar but 15 other patients vacated the hospital and have decided to get admitted to the SCB Medical in Cuttack expecting better treatment facilities.

Meanwhile, the family of deceased has alleged medical negligence resulting in the death of Susant. Other attendants too complained of lack of adequate infrastructure and required beds to accommodate patients due to which all the patients are suffering and getting more infected.

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“The hospital authorities didn’t even provide mosquito nets. We were asked to bring our own nets. Our child was kept in a ward which was already full of patients. Negligence in treatment has killed our child,” alleged Umakant Barik, uncle of Susant.

He further said that the doctors did not inform them to shift their child to Cuttack Medical till the last moment.

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However, Balasore CDMO Bibekananda Das has dismissed such allegation of doctors’ negligence as the cause of death of the child. He said," The child was looked after by a paediatrics specialist. He was admitted 3 days after he had fever. So we haven’t neglected anything."

Sources said, 1056 blood samples were examined in Balasore district this year, of which 126 samples tested dengue positive. The Balasore DHH has a specific 16-bed dengue ward, while 36 ailing patients have been admitted here which has become a cause of concern for the hospital authorities.

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“We will review the status of dengue in Baliapala, Betagadia and other affected areas in the district. Necessary steps will be taken for preventive measures. Of the 36 patients admitted here, condition of 2-3 has been serious. We are making necessary arrangements to shift them to Cuttack Medical," said Balasore MP Rabindra Jena.

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Due to lack of desired number of beds, some patients have been lodged at Infectious diseases ward, while others were seen lying on the verandahs of the hospital. All this clearly gives a picture of the medical services provided at the DHH, raising questions on the health of the patients who have been admitted here.