Over 1,000 dengue cases in Delhi

As the total number of reported dengue cases crossed 1,000 in the national capital, Union Health Minister Minister Anbumani Ramadoss visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where 170 viral disease patients are undergoing treatment.

Dr Ramadoss visited the institute for about an hour, met dengue patients in wards and reviewed the facilities available for them.

During the past 48 hours, no dengue death was reported at AIIMS, the doctors said.

However, 39 new patients were admitted and 42 were discharged in the past 24 hours. The total number of cases in the institute now stands at 170.

The health minister did not visit the general dengue ward in AIIMS. Doctors described the visit as 'just a formality'.

"The visit has come a little too late. As the president of AIIMS, it was his duty to ensure and provide the hospital infrastructure and resources for an emergency situation like this," AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association general secretary Dr Anil Sharma said.

"Dr Ramadoss has come when the AIIMS internal contingency is already in place and we are working as a well oiled machine," he added.

He said resources at the world-renowned healthcare institute had been stretched to the limits and the union health ministry had failed to mobilise resources.

Under a contingency plan, 100 additional doctors and 50 interns have been put on duty in the dengue ward, by the AIIMS management from Wednesday.

"All the additional doctors and interns will report to the medical superintendent of the main hospital for strengthening patient care," an AIIMS spokesperson said.

Some private wards have been converted into the general dengue ward to accommodate patients.

The worst affected areas from dengue in Delhi are central zone, Shahdara (in the north) and Najafgarh, which have reported 115, 79 and 72 cases respectively.

More than 9,000 patients have been screened at the AIIMS emergency department since October 3.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials said 1,029 total cases were reported in Delhi till 1000 hrs on Tuesday morning, of which 651 are from the capital.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited the institute on Sunday and appreciated the efforts of management and doctors for treating the patients.