Blood samples collected from 38 patients
Private hospitals accused of fleecing poor patients in the name of dengue
Ongole: Seasonal epidemics broke out in Chimakurti, Markapuram, Pedda Dornala, Kanigiri and Ongole and other towns. So far 316 malaria cases registered in the district as malaria fevers are on the rise. According to sources, the district medical and health officials on Wednesday collected blood samples from P. Naga Srinu, 17, while he was undergoing to treatment in a private hospital in Ongole city. He has been suffering from suspected dengue for the last one week.
The DMHO, Dr M. Chandraiah, said, “We have also collected blood samples from four of his family members and sent them to RIMS for Elisa Test. He clarified that so far no dengue case has been registered in the district. Naga Srinu’s platelets fell to 1.8 lakh from 2.5 lakh. As a result, he became weak. We collected blood samples from him. On suspicion, we have collected blood samples from 38 patients suffering from suspected dengue. We are waiting for blood test report. We have kits in the RIMS for conducting Elisa tests.”
The private hospitals are looting the poor patients suffering from viral fevers. The doctors are claiming that the patient is suffering from suspected dengue and giving treatment for dengue fevers and collecting thousands of rupees from the patient, it is lear-nt. The number of malaria cases is on the rise in Yer-ragondapalem, Korraprolu, Chirala and Palutla. As many as 100 cases were registered in villages.
In Chimakurti, quarry workers have been suffering from malaria caused by stagnation of water quarry pits. Similarly, the tribals in Markapuram mandal have been suffering from malaria caused by stagnation of water in pits. District malaria officer M. Nagendraiah said, “We are conducting awareness camps in Markapuram, Chimakurti for quarry workers on the precautions to be taken for malaria fevers. We are requesting the house owners to clean their over head tanks. Our staff has already taken up fogging and spraying anti-larva chemicals. We have requested the panchayat officials to take steps to improve sanitation at all villages to prevent spread of diseases.”