Against the backdrop of hospitals in Dimapur being overwhelmed by increasing number of persons seeking medical attention for dengue-like symptoms, Minster of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) P. Paiwang Konyak maintained that recent surge in dengue cases in Dimapur was not alarming and therefore urged upon the public not to panic.
He said this while addressing medical doctors, officials and media representatives at DHD Thursday during which he also assured public that the state government was cognisant of the dengue upswing, especially in Dimapur and Mon, but that the situation had not yet reached epidemic proportion.
On dengue cases in Dimapur, he maintained that the situation did not warrant it to be declared as an epidemic. To back up this point, he cited recent data analysis collected from various hospitals which depicted that out of 100, around 70% exhibited mild fever with dengue-like symptoms and with only about 30% being confirmed dengue cases.
He said out of the 30% dengue positive, only two to three cases were classified as severe, necessitating blood transfusion.
Paiwang advised elderly individuals with fever symptoms to refrain from unnecessary travels, while urging Dimapur residents showing symptoms to not to travel to their native villages.
He underscored reduction and prevention as primary dengue control strategy, noting that although fogging was being used, it should not be solely relied upon as it was also as important for maintaining cleanliness of surroundings.
With the objective of assessing the ground situation, the minister also visited Police Referral Hospital Chümoukedima, Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), and District Hospital Dimapur (DHD).
Referring to Mon, Paiwang claimed that the situation was under control due to the effective measures undertaken by Deputy Commissioner Ajay Verma, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and medical staff. He said recent data from Mon suggested containment against rise in the number of cases. Paiwang said he anticipated further decline in dengue cases in Mon district in the coming days.
As reported earlier, the minister reiterated the activation of Dengue Response Team (DRT) to oversee the surge in cases, with a control room set up at the H&FW Directorate in Kohima. He said the control room would centralise data collected from all districts through District Task Forces (DTFs), guiding subsequent actions based on the compiled information.
Referring to the rise in blood donation drives in Dimapur, Paiwang stressed that people should not habitually donate blood in dengue cases unless recommended by a doctor.
Asked whether lack of public awareness contributed to the rise in dengue cases, the minister emphasised that it was essential to adapt to changing times adding that one could not blame others in case of surge of any disease.
Paiwang also disclosed that CIHSR management had assured him of providing an additional 100 beds in addition the current 40, while DHD would also add 40 more beds.
He called for unity among all stakeholders and emphasised awareness and preventive measures to effectively combat the surge in dengue cases.
Paiwang also mentioned that chief minister Neiphiu Rio had directed him to assess the flood situation in Dimapur. With the DTF now active, he called for active participation from ward representatives, chairmen, GBs, and local leaders to raise awareness among the public about dengue.
Meanwhile, this reporter had visited several hospitals in Dimapur and found that many of the emergency and OPDs were packed with patients complaining of dengue-like symptoms.
There were also some deaths reports in various areas of which the exact number is expected to be made known due to the virus or its co-morbidities.