Ramp up efforts against dengue, chikungunya: HC to Centre, Delhi govt

The high court asked government-run hospitals not to deny treatment or admission to patients, adding that that assistance of NGOs will also be sought to tackle the recent spike in mosquito-borne diseases in the city.

Delhi high court on Tuesday directed the Centre and the city government to step up efforts to tackle the outbreak of dengue and chikungunya in the Capital.

A fumigation drive at Sonia Vihar to protect residents from dengue and chikungunya viruses in New Delhi on September 14, 2016. (Mohd Zakir/HT Photo)

A division bench of chief justice G Rohini and justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal also asked them to increase the strength of doctors, nurses and other staff in hospitals by engaging retired personnel, if required, to meet the exigencies.

The high court asked government-run hospitals not to deny treatment or admission to patients, adding that that assistance of NGOs will also be sought to tackle the recent spike in mosquito-borne diseases in the city.

The court also directed the civic bodies to make periodical visits to houses, particularly those in slum areas, with fogging machines and spraying of insecticides to prevent mosquito breeding.

The direction came after city government told the court that steps have been taken to strengthen the hospital system by establishing dedicated fever clinics in government hospitals and dispensaries.

The court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Shahid Ali, who has accused the governments and the municipal corporations of Delhi of not acting vigilantly and responsibly to control dengue.

Patients with fever, suspected to be suffering from chikungunya or dengue, await medical treatment outside the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi on September 15, 2016. (Sushil Kumar/HT Photo)

Ali suggested measures like sub-division of existing municipal wards for identification and implementation of preventive measures to combat dengue and other vector-borne diseases.

“A dedicated complaint board may be constituted and the same be empowered to take punitive actions against the guilty and negligent officials/safai karmacharis,” he said.

The court directed the government to consider the feasibility of the implementation of the various measures suggested by Ali.

The occupants of the house or premises where the breeding of mosquitoes is reported by the health inspectors be heavily penalised, he added.