MAPUSA
A sudden spurt in dengue cases in Calangute-Candolim has created a scare among locals in the coastal belt.
Several people who were down with fever have been making a beeline for blood tests in the Candolim Primary Health Centre (PHC) and even at a prominent private hospital in Candolim.
The doctors in the coastal belt have reported increasing cases of patients rushing for blood tests and many have also been tested positive for dengue.
“In the last three weeks, there were many people who reported for testing and patients have also tested positive for dengue. However, there has been a slight drop in cases in the last two days,” a general practitioner with a private hospital informed The Goan, requesting anonymity.
While no data on cases of dengue reported could be sourced from the Candolim PHC, sources informed that a steady rush of patients were reported at the health centre for the past several weeks.
“There has been a spurt of dengue cases in our jurisdiction. Several patients come for blood tests which also puts pressure on the infrastructure. At times we cannot cope up with the rush,” a source at the health centre said.
A resident of Naikavaddo, Calangute, Anthony D’Souza, informed that his wife first got infected with the dengue virus, followed by his daughter and then his son.
He, however, criticised the blood testing facilities at the Candolim PHC which were not adequate and prompt.
“The reports of the blood test were delayed. A person whose blood is tested in the morning is asked to collect the report the next afternoon. In critical cases this could be costly. In private clinics the report is available the same evening,” D’Souza said.
He further said that the rush of patients shows that the PHC requires quick and additional facilities.
Repeated calls and messages sent to the Health Officer, Dr Vidya Parab remained unattended.
