HC raps state government after rising cases of dengue

Hyderabad:  Displeased with the measurements taken by the state government in controlling dengue, the state HC, on Wednesday warned the government that it would have to face severe results if there is no progress in controlling the rapid spread of dengue and mosquito menace within a month.

According to the DC report, the bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice A. Abhishek Reddy said

If the government fails to tackle the epidemic by the day of the next hearing (October 23),  this Court shall have no other option but to summon the principal secretary to elicit the details and other serious actions would be initiated.

The bench also observed that the government is not serious about dengue prevailing in the state since the last one and half month.

According to The New Indian Express, the bench said,

Statistics furnished by the health department and GHMC show that about 5,914 cases of dengue have been identified in just 22 days (Sept 1-23) this year, showing an increase of 200 per cent during the period, which is shocking and alarming.

The court also directed the state government to enquire about the authenticity of the news reports which says that the private hospitals were driving away the poor people who were thronging them seeking medical aid, affected with dengue.

The court reportedly asked the Advocate General, BS Prasad, when he said that the government was using RDT (Rapid Detective Kits) and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test to identify dengue that, “Why the State Government could not subsidise the ELISA test which cost Rs.3,500 and make it affordable for the poor patients?”