Spl team to study 'Chikangunya' situation in northern Alappuzha

Alappuzha, Sep 14 (UNI) The Kerala Government has decided to send a special team to Alappuzha district to study the situation in its northern parts, which are facing a severe outbreak of suspected Chikangunya fever, Cherthala MLA P Thilothaman said today.

Mr Thilothaman said he had discussed the situation with Health Minister P K Sreemathy, who had also decided to allocate Rs 1,00,000 to the Cherthala Taluk Hospital, where more than 600 suspected Chikangunya patients were admitted.

The demand for another Rs 5,00,000 to curb the disease in the area was under the consideration of the government, he said. In other measures, all types of medicines to fight fever were being provided to the Taluk Hospital and 18 PHCs. The services of house surgeons would be available at the Taluk Hospital, he said.

Steps were taken to appoint doctors on contract basis to fill the vacancies. Some private nursing schools had offered free services in the Taluk Hospital. In addition, the homoeopathic and ayurvedic departments were distributing preventive medicines in all panchayats.

Voluntary organizations were also on the scene to provide free services, he said.

Meanwhile, one more person suffering from fever died in Cherthala, here. Mani, 68, from Cherthala south panchayat, died yesterday. However, it was not clear whether he died of Chikangunya or Dengue fever, district medical officer Dr N K Velayudhan said.

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