Harish Rao convened a meeting with top officials of the Health Department to assess the current situation of seasonal diseases in the state.
Published Sep 26, 2023 | 9:28 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 26, 2023 | 9:28 PM
“There has been a notable decrease in the number of reported dengue cases, with 7,988 cases last year compared to 5,263 cases during the same period this year,” Harish Rao said. (Supplied)
On Tuesday, 26 September, Telangana Health Minister T Harish Rao announced that the state had reported 5,263 dengue cases this year.
Rao convened a review meeting with top officials of the Health Department on Tuesday to assess the current situation of seasonal diseases in the state.
“There has been a notable decrease in the number of reported dengue cases, with 7,988 cases last year, compared to 5,263 cases during the same period this year,” he said.
Harish Rao acknowledged that diseases like malaria and dengue were once prevalent during the rainy season, but attributed the decline in cases to the successful implementation of government initiatives, including Palle Pragathi, Pattana Pragathi, and Mission Bhagiratha.
These programmes have significantly improved environmental cleanliness across the state, leading to a reduction in seasonal diseases, he noted.
However, recent statistics from the Health Department revealed a slight uptick in fever cases over the past 10 days, likely due to changing weather patterns. Rao emphasised the importance of increased vigilance to prevent any further escalation.
“While there is no cause for panic regarding malaria and dengue cases, individuals experiencing fever symptoms are advised to seek medical attention at the nearest government hospital and undergo blood tests as per their doctor’s recommendations. Medications required for treating seasonal diseases like dengue and malaria are readily available at all hospitals, starting from Palle Dawakhanas,” Rao urged citizens.
Recognising the significance of early testing and treatment for dengue and malaria, Rao called for the availability of NS1 test kits, IgM kits, and malaria RDT kits. Currently, there are 1,099 NS1 test kits, 992 IgM kits, and a total of 7,06,000 malaria RDT kits in stock.
The minister directed the Telangana State Medical Services & Infrastructure Development Corporation (TSMSIDC) to ensure that there are no shortages.
Rao also said that there was a need to admit and treat patients coming from remote areas, even if they presented with mild symptoms.
“Special attention should be given to the health of pregnant women and children, and necessary tests should be conducted for viral fever cases. Complicated cases should be identified and transferred to main hospitals for treatment,” he said.
To expedite test results, the Health Department aims to provide results within 24 hours through the Telangana Diagnostics Programme.
With speciality medical services now available at district-level medical colleges, cases should only be referred to Hyderabad when absolutely necessary.
Special fever outpatient counters should be established in hospitals as required, with a particular focus on children’s health, he said.
Rao pledged that the Health Department was committed to preventing any patient deaths due to malaria and dengue.
He called on the public to take responsibility by maintaining clean surroundings and ensuring that there is no mosquito breeding. Cooperation with Panchayat, Municipal departments, local organisations, and public representatives, along with district collectors, is vital to this effort, he said.
District medical officials have been tasked with raising public awareness about seasonal diseases and government hospital preparedness through the media. They are also responsible for reporting any surge in cases to higher authorities promptly.
The Health Department has also become aware of some private hospitals exploiting patients in the name of dengue treatment, charging exorbitant fees, and inducing unnecessary panic. Minister Harish Rao urged district medical officers to investigate such cases thoroughly and take appropriate action.
Furthermore, Rao expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of wellness centres. He stressed that the government’s intent in establishing wellness centres was to provide excellent medical services to employees and journalists.
The minister expected timely exam results and adherence to schedules by doctors, and directed the CEO of Aarogyasri to conduct thorough examinations of all wellness centres and the medical services they provide.
