JAMMU, NOVEMBER 3: Secretary Health & Medical Education, Bhupinder Kumar, today had a detailed review meeting regarding dengue status and containment initiatives.

A detail presentation on dengue status and containment initiatives was presented by Epidemiologist/State Malariologist, J&K.

It was informed that, as on date, 5295 cases of dengue have been confirmed in Jammu division against 18000 suspect cases. Besides, Fever clinics are being run in GMC Jammu and other hospitals for diagnoses and treatment of suspected dengue cases.

Further, it was added that the department is well equipped for Platelets transfusion as recently one more component Laboratory has been established in Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu in addition to existing component Laboratory of GMC Jammu.

Till date more than 300 patients have been provided platelet transfusion in Associated Hospitals of GMC, Jammu and Gandhi Nagar Hospital Jammu.

The Department is carrying out regular spraying and fogging at all the dengue positive houses in Jammu division. Besides, regular calling of Dengue positive patients is being done by 104 Call Center (Health Help Line) being run by National Health Mission J&K.

It was discussed in the meeting that cleanliness in the residential areas is of utmost importance to check the menace of mosquito breeding. Since, dengue spread is related to increased density of mosquitoes, which breed mostly in stagnant clean water in the unattended containers lying in the houses or in open spaces.

Secretary directed the Director Health Services to ensure that the designated teams constituted by respective CMOs visit every household where Dengue positive cases are detected.

Further, all cases of fever should be suspected and tested for Dengue. Wherever need, the referral of Dengue positive patients from periphery should be made and strictly followed up till the patient reaches the appropriate Health Institutions.

Further, it was also directed that department shall increase the awareness and containment measures to mitigate the dengue spread.

CMOs were asked to make available sufficient number of functional beds and all essential medicines and consumables for treatment of dengue cases.

Bhupinder also made appeal to general public as well as public representatives like Municipal Corporators and PRIs for dissemination of Dengue preventive measures.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Shashi Soodan, Principal Medical College GMC, Jammu, Ayushi Soodan Mission Director NHM, J&K, Pankaj Gupta, Managing Director, JKMSCL J&K, Dr. Saleem Ur Rehman, Director Health Services, Jammu, Representative from Jammu Municipal Commission, Dr. Harjeet Rai, State Malariologist, J&K & Chief Medical Officers Jammu division.