Delhi government has threatened to cancel licences of private hospitals if they refuse treatment to dengue patient (AFP photo)
As Delhi grapples with the worst dengue outbreak in the last five years, the state government today said that private hospitals cannot charge more than Rs 600 for tests which are free in government facilities.
Here are the latest developments:
Warning private hospitals of strict action if they turn away dengue patients, Health Minister Satyendar Jain today said that hospitals must stabilise affected persons and make necessary arrangements for their treatment.
The warning follows outrage over the deaths of two children - Aman Sharma, 6, and Avinash Rout, 7 - last week after they were allegedly refused treatment by city hospitals. After Avinash's death, his parents committed suicide, provoking an outcry.
The Health Minister also said that government hospitals have been ordered to arrange for 1,000 extra beds by Sunday while the private ones have been asked to increase bed capacity.
A "blanket order" has also been issued to hospitals, empowering them to employ more doctors and nursing staff.
After an emergency cabinet meeting last night, the Aam Aadmi Party government announced that its corruption helpline, 1031, would operate as a helpline for dengue.
There have been 11 deaths due to dengue in Delhi. More than 1,900 dengue cases have been recorded in the city this year - the highest number since 2010, when more than 6,000 were reported.
Authorities have ordered surprise inspections at private hospitals to ensure they comply with an order not to turn away dengue patients. Doctors' leave has been cancelled to help cope with the influx of sick people.
Dengue cases generally peak in October, after the end of the monsoon rains. Symptoms include a sudden fever, headache, muscle and joint pains. The disease is also known as "break-bone fever" for the intense pain victims can suffer.
Dengue cases have also been reported in other parts of the country. In Punjab, there have been two deaths and 900 cases. Two persons have also died in Haryana, where there have been 300 cases.
Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have also seen dengue cases, but the worst affected is Delhi.
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