Shabir visits hospitals in Samba, Kathua, meets Dengue patients

JAMMU, Oct 9: Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmed Khan, today visited various hospitals in Samba and Kathua districts to take stock of treatment being extended to Dengue patients.

Shabir interacted with the patients and enquired them about the medical facilities being provided in these hospitals.

The Minister visited Primary Health Centre Bari Brahmana, Government Emergency Hospital Vijaypur, District Hospital Samba, Sub District Hospital Hiranagar and District Hospital Kathua to know about the status of dengue patients there. He directed the doctors in these medical institutions to leave no stone unturned in extending best medicare to the patients.

The Minister was accompanied by Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education Gazanfar Hussain, Director Health Services Baljit Pathania, Mission Director NRHM Yashpal Sharma, Director AIDS Control Madhu Khullar besides other senior doctors.

While speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that all possible efforts are being taken by the health functionaries to combat this disease in the state. He directed the concerned for raising awareness among the people about the disease besides telling them in detail the preventive measures.

Shabir said that teams with anti-mosquito spray are visiting the affected areas where positive cases have been detected. They are spraying insecticide for mosquito control in different areas from where dengue cases have been reported. He further said samples are being collected in designated hospitals, transported by department and being tested at tertiary-level laboratory. Besides, treatment for dengue patients is being provided at various hospitals of Jammu division.

He, however, added that complicated cases are being treated in Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Sarwal, and Government Medical College, Jammu.

At Hiranagar Sub District hospital, the Minister asked the concerned to seek explanation from CMO, Kathua, for lack of required healthcare facilities especially for dengue patients in the institution. He also imposed fine of Rs. 1000 on BMO Hiranagar for laxity on his part towards his duties.

Later, he convened a meeting at district hospital Kathua to review the situation arisen due to the spread of Dengue besides discussing measures to further streamline functioning of health institutions to deal with the situation effectively. District Development Commissioner, Kathua, was also present on the occasion.

The Minister also inspected pace of progress on new block being constructed in DH Samba at an estimated cost of Rs. 11 crore.