Noida in dengue grip, officials deny outbreak

The district authorities claim there are only six confirmed cases of dengue in the city even as about 600 positive dengue patients are being treated at various private hospitals in the district.

While private hospitals and nursing homes in Noida are swarming with dengue patients, the district health department is blissfully unaware of the ground situation.

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The district authorities claim there are only six confirmed cases of dengue in the city even as about 600 positive dengue patients are being treated at various private hospitals in the district.

The health authorities are blaming private hospitals for creating an unnecessary dengue scare.

The president of Noida chapter of the Indian Medical Association, Dr. S.P. Sharma, said, “There has been surge in the number of dengue cases in the city. The situation is getting unmanageable as already there are around 300 positive dengue cases at various major hospitals alone. Some hospitals have increased the number of beds to accommodate the rush of patients."

"The dengue NS1antigen test at a private laboratory costs up to Rs 1,800 which everybody can't afford. Moreover, National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) reports come late. The IMA has requested the chief medical officer to set up an NICD-approved centre in Noida so that one can get dengue confirmation in time," said Sharma.

Dr. K.C. Sood of Association of Medical Clinics of Noida said, "About 300 patients are getting treated in around 200 private nursing homes in the city. Though they are getting treatment for dengue, one cannot vouchsafe till a case is confirmed by the NICD test."

But private pathological labs dismiss the health department allegation that the nursing homes are creating a scare.

"The health department had done precious little to curb the spread of disease. There is a surge in dengue cases in the last fortnight. No fogging was done in residential areas. A few swine flu cases have also been reported," said S.M. Singh of the Federation of Sector 62 RWA.