Round-the-clock service in PHCs to treat Chikungunya

Uppinangady, Karnataka, June 11 (UNI) Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu today said a 24-hour service would be introduced in all Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Government Hospitals in Puttur, Belthangady and Sullya taluks in Dakshina Kannada district to provide treatment to people affected with Chikungunya.

Talking to newspersons after visiting the PHC where patients complaining of fever and pain in joints were being treated, here, he said the proposed 'mobile health units' would be operated immediately to serve people affected with the disease, especially those from rural areas.

The ministry would also depute doctors from outside the district to combat the disease, he added.

The epidemic, which was widespread in Dakshina Kannada district, had now entered Uttara Kannada district. The ministry had taken all steps to control the spread of the disease and educate people about precautionary measures. Awareness programmes for students would be held in schools highlighting the importance of cleanliness, he added. The officials, accompanying the minister, said that about 9,000 people were suffering from Chikungunya in the three taluks.

As many as nine people reportedly died of the epidemic, which was, however, disputed by the district health authorities.

Among the nine suspected Chikungunya deaths reported in the taluk, five were from Kaniyur and its surroundings, two from Uppinangady and one each from Ramakunja and Kabaka. Among the nine dead, five were woman and four men, they said.

Despite heavy rains in the district during the last two days, which was believed to have checked the spread of the disease, 1,950 cases of fever were reported from 11 PHCs and private hospitals in Puttur taluk alone, among which 356 cases were identified as Chikungunya, they said.

In Suratkal, on the outskirts of Mangalore city, six cases of suspected Chikungunya were reported.

UNI MA SJ RL KN1725