Amid rising cases, Karnataka govt to cap price of dengue tests in private hospitals


Amid a rise in dengue cases, Karnataka is all set to announce a price cap on dengue tests at private hospitals. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday directed officials to hold discussions to fix a reasonable price cap on tests at all private hospitals and diagnostic laboratories in the state.

Dengue cases are on the rise in the state, with 6,187 cases and six deaths reported so far this year. The Congress government had fixed a similar price cap in 2015 too.

Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao, who held a coordination meeting with officials of the BBMP, Health and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) departments on Tuesday to formulate dengue control measures, said the notification on the price cap would be issued on Wednesday. Detection and treatment of dengue is free in government hospitals.

Hospitals should be informed

Directing all hospitals, including private ones, to mandatorily report all dengue cases, the Health Minister said, “More dengue cases are being reported due to an increase of 42% in the testing rate compared to last year. Timely detection can help prevent complications and deaths. Officials of the Health Department and BBMP must be vigilant and work in coordination,” the Minister said.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the minister said the current case fatality rate (CFR) of dengue in Karnataka is 0.09%. “As per the Government of India guidelines, dengue CFR should not exceed 0.5%. I have directed officials to intensify preventive measures and focus on early detection to prevent complications and deaths,” he said.

Of the six deaths reported so far in the state, two are from Hassan and one each from Bengaluru, Shivamogga, Dharwad and Haveri. “All hospitals have been equipped to deal with the surge in cases,” he said.

door to door inspection

Directing the officials to visit every house and create awareness about dengue prevention measures, the minister asked the officials to conduct door-to-door survey and create awareness.

He said, “The officials should create awareness about mosquito breeding prevention and source reduction. BBMP officials and ASHA workers should visit every household and educate people about keeping their surroundings clean. In rural areas, medical officers from primary health centres should visit every school under their jurisdiction to create awareness among children and monitor the implementation of dengue preventive measures by teachers. Science teachers have already been trained on dengue control and larval destruction.”

meeting with builders

Directing the officials to organise special water source reduction activities every Friday, Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath has been directed to hold a meeting with builders and CREDAI members to ensure there is no water stagnation at construction sites.”

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