Keonjhar/Barbil: A day after dengue claimed a life at Barbil CHC, another patient reportedly succumbed to the vector-borne ailment at the district headquarters hospital Friday amid reports that the number of affected persons rose to 300.
The deceased was identified as Ratani Karua (58) of Sriram Nagar in Barbil.
Meanwhile, health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak reviewed the situation in Keonjhar and later in Barbil Friday during a visit.
The minister visited the special dengue ward at the district headquarters hospital and enquired the patients about their condition.
At present, 18 dengue patients are under treatment at the special ward. Nayak held a review meeting with the health officials at the DHH.
At the meeting, CDMO Dr Kabindra Prasad Sahu and ADMO Dr Binod Bihari Mishra apprised the minister of the healthcare provisions and other measures for dengue patients.
However, Nayak advised the patients and officials not to panic. He said, “Dengue first came to Orissa from Bangalore. A wide range of measures are being undertaken for its prevention.” Briefing reporters after the review meeting, Nayak said all the patients are being treated free of cost, apart from being given mosquito nets.
The testing facilities of dengue patients’ blood samples are available at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur and VIMSAR at Burla, he added.
Later in the day, Nayak visited Barbil CHC where he met dengue patients. He also visited several dengue-hit wards before holding a review meeting. A state-level medical team has reached Barbil and it will stay here till the situation turns normal, Nayak said.
The minister talked to Padama Shri Tulasi Munda and said necessary steps will be taken to upgrade the CHC.
The minister was reportedly heckled by locals during his visit.
After Barbil and Joda, dengue is allegedly spreading in Keonjhar town. Unofficial sources claimed that four to five persons affected by the disease are undergoing treatment at private hospitals, but the district health department denied such reports.
ADMO Dr SS Bal said there is no such report available from Keonjhar. He said blood samples of some persons were examined, but none tested positive for dengue.
Collector N Tirumala Nayak had held a review meeting over the existing healthcare facilities and sanitation after visiting several wards Thursday.
During his visits, he expressed his displeasure over dirty and clogged drains and pile of garbage along the streets.
He directed civic body authorities to immediately carry out cleanliness drives and billow mosquito dispelling smoke in the area. PNN