New Delhi:
At a press conference on Tuesday, the Holy Family Hospital authorities said 500 cases of dengue have been reported from its vicinity, which is much higher than the MCD's numbers. The Hospital said it had no room for more patients as the 300 bed hospital was full with a sudden surge in the number of dengue cases in the area.
The MCD officials refused to comment on this.
"There are 277 confirmed cases of dengue in the Capital till now which includes the ones reported from private hospitals," said Dr N K Yadav, Municipal Health Officer, MCD. However, citizens feel the actual figure is 5 to 10 times more than the one quoted by the MCD.
According to the MCD, there has been an unabated increase in the number dengue cases in Jamia Nagar and Vasant Kunj recently, with Maharani Bagh and Kalindi Kunj also being under dengue siege. Delhi's Mayor Prithivi Raj Sawhney along with some officials of the Health Department will inspect areas in Jamia Nagar.
Delhi's Health Minister Kiran Walia inspected the affected areas on Monday and told the media that the government is taking all possible measures in coordination with the MCD to tackle the rise.
A south Delhi pathologist on condition of anonymity said around 15 to 20 cases of dengue came up in the Maharani Bagh area alone.
Isha Malik, a teacher and resident of Maharani Bagh, whose daughter just got cured of dengue, said no one knew about the exact figure of those affected. "If you pass through Kalindi Kunj area, one can see the amount of filth which was supposed to be cleared 5 years back but has not yet been removed. This is one of the main reasons for the spread of dengue," she said.
When asked about the reason for increase in the number of cases as compared to the previous years, N K Yadav said the increase in population and massive construction for the Commonwealth Games and more patients reporting to the medical facilities are responsible for it.
"A lot of construction for the Games is going on in Delhi which is also adding to the rise in number," he said. When told that the MCD is neglecting complaints from the residents, Yadav said, "The MCD is not neglecting any complaints.
We have put 8 more fogging machines on use. Previously 5-6 hospitals used to be centres for dengue diagnosis and cure, but this year the facilities have been made available in 33 hospitals. It is still unknown that despite so many preventive measures and awareness drives being initiated by the MCD why is there no respite.
"It is sad that despite Delhi having an educated population, the residents don't follow the preventive measures. MCD has issued 45,000 notices so far regarding careless attitude towards waterlogging and mosquito breeding. Till now MCD has challaned 6000 people, which includes 250 government offices," Yadav said.