Hyderabad, June 14: Mon soon is not yet fully in, but it has already raised the spectre of dreadful communicable diseases invading the twin cities. There has been a sudden rise in diarrhoea and communicable diseases in several parts of the city for the past three days. While the Fever hospital reported a spurt in diarrhoea patients visiting the facility, many doctors in the city said they had noticed around 30 percent increase in seasonal diseases this time.
Dr Manjari, superintendent, Fever Hospital, told Expresso that about 25 cases of seasonal diseases, including diarrhoea and fever, are being reported in the hospital every day.
Fever-related cases have already crossed the 200 mark. “We have been witnessing an alarming 30-34 percent increase in patients suffering from seasonal diseases because of changing weather conditions,” Manjari said.
Besides deputing additional staff to provide better medicare to patients, extra stocks of medicines were being maintained to tackle communicable diseases during the monsoon period.
On the other hand, the district health and medical department has swung into action to curb monsoon-related diseases. Ch Jayakumari, district health officer, has directed the officials to speed up survey of seasonal diseases as rains started lashing the city.
She said they had decided to deploy all field staff in the campaign against monsoon diseases.
It was also decided to open new outpatient counters in various hospitals. Drinking water and seating arrangements for patients would also be ensured. Health authorities had been asked to provide adequate medicines in all government hospitals. Posters on precautions for monsoon would be displayed.
Jayakumari directed the officials to open special medical camps at areas prone to diseases.
She wanted the hospital officials to use masks while dealing with patients.
“We have identified more than 150 high-risk slum localities and low-lying areas in the city and deployed additional medical staff to cope up with the seasonal diseases. Reports from hospitals reveal that over 500 are down with fever and symptoms of malaria for three days in the twin cities,” Jayakumari added.
Facing fevers
* About 30 pc increase in patients at hospitals * Fever hospital gets 25 cases a day on an average in the last three days * Other government hospitals report 500 malaria and other fever cases * Extra out-patient counters being opened at area hospitals * Additional stocks of medicines to be maintained * Medical camps to be held in 150 localities identified as disease-prone
–Agencies