Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Aug 16: The Government Medical College Jammu is prepared to cope up with the situation due to rise in dengue cases in Jammu, Principal GMC Jammu said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference on Dengue Management, Principal GMC Dr Ashutosh Gupta said that last year around 1500 suspected cases of dengue were admitted at a time in GMC Jammu and every possible step is being taken to minimise the spread of this vector borne disease this year.
Dr Ghanshyam Saini, HoD Paediatrics said that all arrangements are in place to deal with the situation like dedicated wards, paediatrics ICU and testing facility etc.
“We have dedicated a 10 bed old ICU for severe cases and also kept 40 bed in ward 19 after stabilizing the patient,” he said.
Dr JB Singh from the Medicine department said that they will only admit patients with high warning signs. “We designated an emergency area and kept one floor for dengue patients in GMC Jammu,” he added.
Dr Meena Sidhu, HoD Blood Bank said that patient having platelets count more than 10000 do not require platelets most of the times and should be always given on physician’s advice Blood centre is fully equipped and have facilities for plateletpheresis
She requested the general public to come forward for voluntary blood donation and voluntary plateletpheresis
Dr SC Bhardwaj HoD pathology said that labs are fully functional in GMC Jammu and Associated Hospitals with all the equipment and round the clock is on duty.
Dr Sandeep Dogra, HoD Microbiology, said that the facility for NS1 Elisa test recommended by Govt. to test dengue is available in GMC Jammu and AHs. “We are collecting samples from various spots in GMC Jammu so that early treatment can be started,” he said.
Dr Harjeet Rai, State Epidemiologist said that they have a total 56 cases in J&K till now and out of which 42 is from Jammu Division. “07 patients admitted to GMC Jammu out of which 04 are discharged. 8264 cases were reported last year.”
He said that the department has scaled up the preventive activities like vector control activities (bio-larvicide fish, spraying & Fogging) and IEC/BCC activities (Print, Electronic, Social Media & miking) and spread awareness about prevention against the dengue virus.
He appealed to the people to help control the dengue spread and ensure cleanliness and avoid the collection of water in and around the residential colonies and houses.
He also requested the public to call on 104 Medical Helpline number from 9am to 6pm for any kind of information and advice for health related services.
Notably as per the details available, six fresh cases of dengue were reported in J&K on Wednesday including five from Jammu and one from Samba.
3,143 tests have been conducted so far this year and 62 have been tested positive for dengue.
