Dedicated wards, test kits ready: Patna hospitals gear up to tackle dengue rise
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Patna: With the district recording over twice the number of dengue cases till June this year as compared to the same period in 2024, hospitals have been directed to create dedicated wards and take other measures to prepare for a potential increase in the cases and other vector-borne diseases, as monsoon progresses.
Patna district recorded 48 dengue cases by June 30, compared to around 20 during the same period the previous year. The district authorities anticipate that the number of cases will likely increase this year.
Patna civil surgeon Dr Abinash Kumar Singh said that of the 48 dengue patients, 26 tested positive at private hospitals. "Preparation has already started for the prevention, testing and treatment of dengue. Around 10,000 combo kits (to detect both dengue virus NS1 antigen and IgG/IgM antibodies) have been procured, and will be given to the govt health facilities in the district.
The hospitals have been asked to keep all required medicines, testing kits and mosquito nets ready for dengue patients," he said.
The civil surgeon has directed the medical officers of the primary health centres to create two-bed dengue wards, the subdivisional hospitals to arrange for five-bed wards and govt hospitals to keep 10-bed wards ready. Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH)-Patna has been designated as the nodal centre for dengue in Patna, where a dedicated ward with 80 beds will be arranged.
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"At Patna Medical College Hospital, a 10-bed intensive care unit (ICU) will be created for dengue patients. The number of beds in dengue wards will be increased in hospitals as per requirement. Additionally, we have around 20 blood banks, including 14 private ones. The blood bank at Paras HMRI has the equipment to separate platelets," the civil surgeon told this newspaper.
A health official said the dengue cases, however, peak around Sept-Oct.
Around 250 dengue cases were being reported per day during peak time in Oct last year, he added.
Patna district magistrate (DM) Thiyagarajan SM said all municipal officials have been asked to ensure preventive and cautionary measures to control dengue. He emphasised the need for vigilance during the rainy season, even though there was no current outbreak of dengue. The DM instructed the civil surgeon to keep rapid response teams active at all primary, urban primary and community health centres, besides referral hospitals.
"Activities like intensive spraying of anti-larvae chemicals, house-to-house surveys, source reduction and awareness campaigns, including at schools, are being done. Large-scale promotion of 'Dos and Don'ts' is crucial," Thiyagarajan said, asking the municipal bodies to conduct fogging and ensure waterlogging is prevented. Active surveillance around confirmed dengue cases should be conducted to identify new patients, he told them.
The DM directed all schools and colleges to follow the health advisories. "Students should be encouraged to wear clothes, covering most of their body. Educational institutions must maintain high standards of cleanliness and regularly spray anti-larvae chemicals (temephos) in drains," he said.
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