The Times of India        24.10.2014  

‘NMMC must be proactive to help prevent dengue’

Navi Mumbai: While the civic body insists that there is no need to panic about the spread of dengue, the private hospitals advise caution. Going by the civic health department figures, there has been no suspected dengue cases in October so far and 18 cases in September (number of confirmed cases not available) this year.


General physician Dr Farah Ingle, who consults at MGM Hospital and Fortis Hospital in Vashi, said that in October alone around 200 cases have been confirmed at both hospitals. "Patients have been coming in with a low platelet count of around 7,000 to 8,000 (normal count is between 1.5 and 4.5 lakh)," she said. She blamed mosquito menace, heat and erratic rainfall for the rise in the number of dengue patients.

Clearing stagnant water is the first preventive step, she added. "The civic body should play a larger role and fumigation should be done frequently," she said.

Dr Sandeep Sonawane, specialist, internal medicine, at Sai Snehdeep Hospital in Koparkhairane said that in October almost 30 cases have been admitted to the hospital. "Climatic changes and the failure to control mosquito population are leading to increase in such cases," he said.

Dr Akshay Challani of Wockhardt Sterling Hospital in Vashi, said that there have been 22 dengue cases admitted in October.

An official from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation health department said that the civic body has launched an awareness campaign to control the spread of dengue fever. "Fumigation, along with distribution of pamphlets, is being done regularly," said the official.

Civic chief health officer Deepak Paropkari was not available for comments.