Bantwal: Dengue worries locals; shortage of hospital staff affect health services

Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (VM/SP)

Bantwal, Jun 27: With the onset of monsoon, infectious diseases, particularly dengue, have been raising their ugly heads in more and more homes.

In Poopadikatte at Navoor, a social worker named Ramanna Kottary died due to dengue. On June 5, Kottary developed fever and had a blood test done at Navoor primary health center following which he recovered.

Later, again on June 19, he got fever and hence went to a private hospital in BC Road where on testing, it was found that he had dengue. Following this, he was admitted to a private hospital in Deralakatte.

For further treatment, Ramanna was admitted to a private hospital in Mangalore. Family members said that the fever became intense and resulted in Ramanna’s death on the morning of Tuesday June 25.

“As per the report by private hospital doctors, it is mentioned that he tested positive for dengue. For further investigation, the blood sample has been sent to the health department and hence, we cannot confirm it as dengue till the examination report is obtained,” said district malaria preventive officer Dr Arun.

So far, in Bantwal, around 18 dengue cases have been reported out of which 9 cases come under Navoor primary health center limits.

“In areas where dengue is suspected to be prevalent, fogging is being done and awareness is being created among people,” said taluk health office Manjunath. “The awareness programme on dengue is being carried out frequently in rural areas by health officers,” he added.

Shortage of staff

While the taluk health department has been doing its bit in spreading awareness about diseases like dengue and malaria, nothing seems to have been done to address shortage of personnel at government hospitals, which is critical for accurately diagnosing the ailments of people hailing from poorer families, and treating them promptly.

One example for shortage of staff is Daivasthala primary health centre within Sarapady gram panchayat in the taluk, where number of visitors has been increasing, but the problem of acute shortage of staff continues to plague the centre.

This health centre has a sanctioned strength of 15, while only six people have been presently manning it. The hospital is frequented by an average of 100 outpatients. While the medical officer and staff of the centre have been trying their best to attend to the patients, there is no one to provide information or spread awareness about the diseases, government programmes, and precautionary measures to be taken, by visiting houses and discussing the issues with the visitors.

Daivasthala primary health centre covers three villages within Sarapady gram panchayat and also the area falling under Uli gram panchayat. People living in these villages have to depend on this government hospital for health-related services. If they fail to get attended here, they need to travel to Bantwal or B C Road located about 15 km away.

Dengue, malaria, and some other diseases commonly spread during monsoon months, particularly in villages. Prevalence of some such diseases in villages covered by Daivasthala health centre has been proved. In such a scenario, it is the duty of the health department to strengthen the health services by providing adequate staff and other infrastructure to health centres. The fact that the gravity of the situation has not been addressed and necessary personnel have not been posted to this health centre has created an environment of tension and apprehension among the villagers.

The sanctioned strength of this health centre is 15 including medical officer, nurse, two senior health assistants, pharmacist, first division assistant, junior lab technician, and group D employee. Four junior female health assistants and three junior male health assistants are the other posts sanctioned for this centre. But at present, only the medical officer, nurse, a junior lab technician, a group D employee, and two junior health assistants work here. Out of them, one is on deputation with responsibility to look after two hospitals.

The above is only an example given to mirror the general situation prevailing in most of the government hospitals and health centres all over the taluk.  No one is sure as to when steps will be taken to solve this problem.