Mosquito-borne disease called dengue is almost taking the shape of epidemic in the Jammu region taking into account that of the 4356 cases reported in last two months 1057 have been found positive. Despite the fact that this is a very dangerous and deadly disease and is spreading rapidly, the state authorities are not taking adequate steps to provide proper medical assistance to the patients with dengue fever. In the first place a machine called Blood Component Separator that converts fresh blood into platelets is provided in only two medical institutes in Jammu whereas it should have been provided to all district level hospitals. For want of proper equipment and treatment, patients are forced to go outside the State to treat the patients of dengue fever and disease. Dengue has been in the news for a long time and despite tall claims by medical authorities that they provide many facilities to the patients, nobody has cared to take quick steps on district level to prevent the epidemic.
It has been noted that the patients of dengue fever who reported to the Government Medical College and Hospital generally come from poorer sections of society especially the slum dwellers. The labourers in industrial areas and their families and children are mostly exposed to the attack of dangerous mosquitoes. This mosquito breeds on stagnant water and according to experts it attacks a naked part of human body in day time and does not fly at night. Health Department should launch a big campaign to bring awareness to people especially in slums and ghettos of how dangerous insect dengue gets life in stagnant water and then attacks. They have to be provided with basic sanitary information and moreover they have to be told to cover their limbs and protect themselves from the attack of dengue.
It is also reported that there is paucity of space and beds in hospitals and patients are forced either to move out of the state for treatment or just lay lying in corridors and floor space till their turn of occupying a bed comes. This is pitiable and inhuman to let the patient suffer or even die for want of space in the hospitals. Will the Government think about increasing space and beds in hospitals in a phased manner?
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