VASCO
A spike in dengue cases in Vasco City and surrounding areas has left the Chicalim Sub District Hospital (SDH) facing a shortage of beds, with as many as 20 cases being reported every day.
Sources said there is also a mad rush for blood tests at the hospital and some patients have also been referred to GMC, on account of shortage of beds and rising dengue cases with every passing day.
When contacted, Chicalim SDH Medical Superintendent and Health officer Dr Anil Umraskar confirmed that the hospital had been full.
"There is a steep rise in dengue cases and the number of patients being admitted in the hospital is on the rise in the last few days. We have, on average, 20 patients being admitted for suspected dengue per day and the number has not declined in the last few days. Beds at the Chicalim SDH are full," said Dr Umraskar.
"If we get patients with a low blood platelet count and in need of further treatment, we send them to GMC as of now. We have been getting maximum cases from Vaddem, New Vaddem, Zuarinagar, Dabolim and Bogmalo. Thankfully, there have been no confirmed cases of dengue-related deaths," said Dr Umraskar.
NCP State President Jose Philip D'Souza met Dr Anil Umraskar to take stock of the situation and said authorities should have taken preventive measures prior to the monsoons, knowing that some areas were hotspots for dengue cases.
"We received complaints of many dengue cases and the hospital being full and hence, we met Dr Anil Umraskar. After Covid, another deadly disease like dengue is now in Vasco and suburbs," said D’Souza.
Blaming local bodies and authorities for having failed to take preventive measures, D’Souza said they should have conducted public awareness campaigns and convened meetings with health officers.
“Local bodies in coordination with elected legislators should have taken up extensive fumigation and cleanliness drives,” he said.
