162 dengue cases make Kapurthala second to worst

KAPURTHALA: Eleven new cases of dengue were reported from Kapurthala on Thursday, revealed the state health department. In the past five days, the district has recorded 67 such cases, taking the tally of denguepositive patients to 162.

This is the second highest number in a single district across the state, first being Mohali, which has recorded 193 cases of total 832 this season.

Jalandhar has recorded the minimum of 18 cases in the Doaba region followed by SBS Nagar with 40 cases and Hoshiarpur with 109 dengue cases till Thursday. A senior doctor, requesting anonymity, said that maximum cases were generally reported in September end every year due to favourable conditions for the dengue mosquitoes to breed.

Sources said an anti-larva team of health department failed to organise any awareness drive on larger level about breeding of Aedes mosquito, which usually targets during daytime and breeds in stagnant water.

Taking cognisance of this, Kapurthala deputy commissioner (DC) Mohammad Tayyab directed the additional deputy commissioner to supervise the health department and municipal council’s arrangements to tackle the rising figures.

Tayyab also conducted a surprise check in the Kapurthala civil hospital to take stock of the arrangements there on Thursday. He said that he will take up the matter of shortcomings and lack of better facilities in health departments with the state government.

SPD EXTRACTION MACHINE UNAVAILABLE

The Kapurthala civil hospital does not have the machine used for extracting single donor platelets (SPD). Instead, the platelet rich plasma (PRP) method is being used to transfer platelets to the patients.

“The process of PRP is long, less effective and wastes blood from which, platelets have been separated,” a doctor said, adding, “Due to this, patients prefer private hospitals or Jalandhar civil hospital for treatment.”