Aimed at addressing the rise in dengue cases in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a high-level review meeting Friday. During the meeting, hospitals were instructed to reserve beds for dengue patients, and discussions on a 24-hour control room and helpline number took place. Doctors were cautioned about prescribing certain medicines, and education department was asked to ensure students wore uniforms with full sleeves. The department has been tasked with a dengue awareness homework for students, where they will prepare a report on preparedness at their homes and submit it to schools. Kejriwal directed the health department to reserve hospital beds for dengue cases and to have stocks of medications. The MCD was directed to ensure Domestic Breeding Checkers conduct door-to-door inspections. In a recent drive, 1,08,729 premises were checked and mosquito breeding was detected in 1,769 places and 219 areas were recognised as hotspots. A total of 620 legal notices have been issued and 432 prosecutions were done. A 24x7 control room will be set up. The government also plans to involve around 3,000 Delhi ASHA workers in this campaign, the Delhi government said in a statement. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj held a press conference Friday regarding the dengue cases. He said, “The 1031 helpline that was set up for Corona has not been changed and will now also help people with dengue. People can talk to doctors and also get general information.” Bharadwaj said, “Hospitals have been ordered to have separate beds available for patients with dengue and dispensaries have been ordered to stock up on medicines.” He said, “Houses will be checked for any possible breedings… the fine has also been increased to Rs 1,000 for personal houses and Rs 5,000 for commercial buildings.”
