Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital opens a special outpatient ward
A 65-year-old man tested positive for dengue at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital in the backdrop of a spike in fever cases in the city. The hospital has opened a special outpatient ward to deal with the situation.
The condition of the patient from Woraiyur who was afflicted with dengue and referred to the GH from a private clinic is stated to be stable.
“Around 84 patients were tested at the special fever outpatient ward on Saturday. The number of patients admitted with a fever as on Saturday was 28, of which 16 were males and 12 females” Arshiya Begum, dean in-charge, MGMGH said.
“A special fever outpatient ward with 10 beds each for males and females is currently being used. A larger ward with 30 beds is also getting ready. A fever ICU ward, for cases which are more serious and also a ‘step-down’ ward, for those who have stabilised but need to be under observation has also been set up following the instruction of the Health Department,” she said, adding that the special fever outpatient ward will work round-the-clock with a duty doctor, house surgeons and lab technicians on stand-by.
The special ward has a makeshift lab and pharmacy for easy access and quick results. It is also equipped with a hydration trolley, equipped with nilavembu kashayam, rice congee and oral rehydration solution (ORS).
The Public Health Department in the district has also begun a prevention drive and is tracking fever cases and consolidating a list every night, said A. Subramani, Deputy Director of Health Services.
Following a meeting through video-conferencing with Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar and Health Secretary Beela Rajesh on Friday, the department has geared up to do their part to keep fever cases at bay, he said.
The department has appointed 650 workers to inspect houses, water bodies and ensure fogging is done regularly.
A ‘fever line list’ is being consolidated and given to panchayat unions and urban local bodies with addresses and telephone numbers to follow up, said Dr. Subramani.
“Pharmacies are requested to stop selling over-the-counter fever medication without a prescription,” he said.
Schools will also be instructed to disinfect their premises if students studying there have been diagnosed with fever and dengue symptoms.
Only two cases of dengue have been detected elsewhere in the district so far, said Dr. Subramani, calling for public cooperation to prevent an outbreak.