MAPUSA
A total of 94 patients tested positive for dengue in last 18 days after the Calanagute panchayat started testing facility in its premises even as Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira blamed the health officer of the Candolim primary health centre (PHC) for doing nothing to arrest the rising dengue trend in the coastal village.
The highest number of positive cases of 19 each was reported from Khobravaddo and Naikavaddo followed by Gauravaddo West (11) and Umtavaddo (10).
The Calangute panchayat had started a free dengue testing facility in the panchayat hall from September 1 following sudden rise in cases in the coastal belt.
The facility offered the following tests “ NS1 dengue test, IgG, IgM, platelet count and dengue test consultation “ free of cost.
Former medical officer of Candolim PHC Dr Diksha Diukar is conducting the tests.
“Ninety-four out of 397 persons who underwent dengue test were found to be positive. We decided to take up the testing on war footing due to the sudden rise in dengue cases in the village. We are also providing free medicines to the patients who have been tested positive for the virus,” Sequeira said.
He also questioned the careless approach of the Candolim PHC in handling the rising dengue cases in the village.
“The health officer at the Candolim PHC is not doing anything and that is why dengue cases are rising,” the sarpanch said.
Interestingly, data of positive cases collated by the panchayat is not shared with the Directorate of Health Services.
“The panchayat has maintained the data of all the patients undergoing the tests. We have not shared the data with anyone. Nor the health officials have asked us for the data,” Sequeira informed.
The panchayat has also taken up measures to eliminate the vectors carrying the dengue virus.
“We have bought pesticide worth Rs 1 lakh for the control of dengue which is being sprayed in all the wards,” he said.
The sarpanch further informed that the testing facility has been temporarily stopped due to the Ganesh festival and will restart on Monday.
