No cause for panic in Delhi due to Chikungunya and Dengue

• No cause for panic in Delhi due to Chikungunya and Dengue
• Delhi government health institutions are fully prepared to deal with the situation
• 1,000 additional beds ready for fever patients
• Fever clinics in 262 dispensaries, 106 Mohalla clinics and 26 Delhi government hospitals functioning
• The treatment, lab diagnosis of Dengue and Chikungunya are available free of cost in all Delhi government Health institutions.
• Patients from outside Delhi are also coming for treatment – government is ready to cope with the rush
• Private hospitals/nursing homes can increase their beds capacity – government has given permission.
• Delhi government is fully prepared to deal with vector-borne diseases Chikungunya and Dengue.

Department of Health has already dedicated an additional 1000 beds for fever patients in three major hospitals (Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospital, Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital) which have been designated as Nodal Hospitals for fever in Delhi.
The government has established dedicated Fever Clinics in its 26 Hospitals (functional 24 hours), 262 Delhi government Dispensaries (functional from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm) and 106 Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics (functional from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm) to cater to fever patients.

The treatment, lab diagnosis of dengue and Chikungunya are available free of cost in all Delhi government Health institutions.

“DHS Control Room “ has been established wherein a helpline number, 011-22307145, has been provided for the assistance of general public for the purpose of guidance and advice on Dengue/Chikungunya fever.

Delhi government allocated and released the funds to EDMC, SDMC and NDMC as the first installments via letter dated 06.06.2016. Despite the corporations not asking, Delhi government also released in advance the grants meant for prevention of vector-borne diseases.

All hospitals (government and private) in the National Capital Territory of Delhi have been directed to increase their surge capacity vide office order of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.

The Nursing Home Division of DGHS has allowed all private hospitals/nursing homes to increase the bed strength upto 10% to 20% of their approved bed strength on a temporary basis for three months the duration is proposed to reviewed depending upon the load of dengue cases in Delhi.

Hospitals and Nursing Homes have been advised to accommodate extra beds and if required, beds may also be placed in corridors and waiting area for admitting such patients. For this purpose, the clauses with respect to infrastructure and HR mentioned in Delhi Nursing Homes Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2011 have been relaxed for the three months period in order to facilitate the temporary expansion of bed capacity.

The Nursing Home Division, has informed the Nursing Homes that the tariff levied upon the additional beds put up for Chikungunya/Dengue management shall not be more than 50% of the lowest economic category of the hospital.

Private hospitals like Apollo Hospital have also reported several steps to augment capacity for management of Dengue/Chikungunya in compliance to the advisory of the Delhi government.

The Delhi government has further directed all the Hospitals to re-deploy human resource from non-emergency location to fever clinics and emergencies.

In all OPDs and casualty, drinking water with ORS is provided to all attendants and patients.
Delhi government hospitals have operationalized several steps to augment capacity for management of Dengue/Chikungunya. Additional beds have been positioned to be utilized as Fever Beds.
Over-the-counter sale of NSAID drugs, which include diclofenac, ibuprofen, asprin, etc. has already been restricted.

Steps taken for Facilitating Diagnostics of vector borne diseases:
I. 300 NS1-Ag Kit (ELISA based) ( approx.29000 tests) are available at DGHS (HQ) for further distribution to all SSHs according to their requirement.
II. Ceiling price for dengue testing (NS1-Ag & MAC ELISA), Chikungunya (IgM ELISA) at Rs. 600/-,.RT PCR test for chickumgynya at RS 1500, and platelets at Rs. 50/- has been fixed for private laboratories and hospitals to reduce the economic burden on the community (Copy of Orders dated 25.07.2016 and 30.08.2016).
Ensuring availability of Blood and blood products
As a measure of precaution, Delhi government has directed all hospitals under it to prepare a platelet registry and maintain adequate amount of blood in their blood banks. The consent of the donor is taken for 24 hr availability. In case of need, donors can be called for platelet aphaeresis for giving to needy patient.
Order for capping the rate of processing charges for issue of blood and blood components issued by Health & Family Welfare dept, GNCTD is in place.
Strengthening monitoring and oversight of Dengue/Chikungunya :
All Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals (SSHs) have been directed to designate Nodal officer for dengue and send updated contact details to DGHS. All Nodal officers have been sensitized regarding Dengue treatment & preparedness plan.
Dengue Task Force has been constituted with the experts NVBDCP, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), MCD and GNCTD to assess dengue situation, meet the challenges for prevention and control of Dengue/Chikungunya.
Steps taken for improving ccoordination with Local Municipal Bodies and other departments
Inter-sectoral coordination meetings with NDMC, EDMC and SDMC were conducted. Meeting notice dated 01.06.2016, 23.06.2016, 25.06.2016.
Review meetings have also been held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Health Minister, Chief Secretary (H&FW), Secretary GNCTD. Meeting notice dated 28.03.2016, 04.04.2016, 07.04.2016, 16.05.2016, 18.06.2016, 31.08.2016 with various agencies and stakeholders. (ENDS)