RML 'harvesting' dengue

Thousands of staff and visitors drinking infested water

Thousands of staff and visitors drinking infested water

Nothing could be more ironical than this.

Breeding ground: An open overhead water tank at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital Pic/Mid day

Ram Manohar Lohia is the most prominent among the nodal hospitals earmarked for the treatment of dengue in the city but the hospital itself may have been spreading the disease by providing potential grounds for the vector-borne ailment.

Overhead water tanks on the departmental canteen of the hospital, which is run by the central government, are either broken or uncovered and shockingly the water from these tanks is used by thousands of people, including staff and visitors, for drinking.

Mosquitoes are breeding inside the tanks and their surroundings are filthy. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is entrusted with managing water supply in the hospital. Though the patients and their attendants get water from several RO dispensers installed across the hospital the canteens get their water from overhead tanks.

"We don't need to tell the administration how important it is to maintain cleanliness especially with cases of dengue rising each day. It is not just about the safety of the staff but thousands of patients too," said a RML official, requesting anonymity.

"Till now there are approximately 260 patients who are found to be positive dengue cases. We cannot allow such carelessness especially at a prominent hospital. We will inform the MCD and take immediate and necessary action against those responsible. We are already spraying and fogging to prevent dengue especially in hospitals. And we'll definitely look into this matter," said Kiran Walia, Delhi health minister.

Dengue in Assembly
The issue of rising cases of dengue in the city rocked Delhi Assembly on Wednesday with Opposition accusing Delhi Government of "total failure" in containing the disease while the ruling side squarely put the blame on BJP-ruled MCD for its "inaction" in preventing its spread. Leader of Opposition V K Malhotra, terming the issue as "extremely serious", said various participating nations of Commonwealth Games are now expressing apprehension in sending their athletes to the mega event following rise in dengue cases. Health Minister Kiran Walia, rejecting the Opposition charges, instead put the blame on MCD holding it responsible for preventing breeding of mosquitoes that cause the disease.

Under MCD's nose
Mosquito breeding has been detected in accumulated rainwater at the premises of Town Hall, the MCD headquarters in the Chandni Chowk area of the city. After some television channels aired footage showing breeding of mosquitoes, Municipal Commissioner K S Mehra Wednesday assured action in the matter. "We will find out who is responsible for this and take necessary action," he told reporters. As dengue cases rise in the city, the MCD has been carrying out awareness campaigns asking citizens not to allow breeding of mosquitoes and have challaned a large number of individuals and organisations for the same.

Dengue update
With 20 fresh cases, the number of dengue patients in the city reached 297. MCD has recorded one confirmed and three suspected dengue deaths so far this season. Among the 297 cases, 222 are from MCD areas, 48 from NDMC areas and rest from other areas. The civic body said it was trying its best to control the spread of the vector-borne disease and has challaned a large number of individuals and organisations for breeding of mosquitoes in their premises.

Swine Flu latest
As many as 33 fresh cases of swine flu were reported from the city. With this the total number of swine flu cases in the city has reached 429. Reportedly, one person died due to swine flue. The death is reported from RML hospital, which is among the three designated hospitals for the commonwealth games.

The Other Side
There is no way that the hospital will become a cause for spreading the disease (dengue). The dengue patients have been put up in a separate block. CPWD manages water supply in the hospital. We provide clean, purified water to our patients and staff.u00a0- TS Sidhu, Medical Superintendent, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital