Declare Dengue Medical Emergency, Provide Free Testing: Karnataka BJPDeclare Dengue Medical Emergency, Provide Free Testing: Karnataka BJP Concerned over the sharp rise in dengue cases in Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged the state government to declare the disease a medical emergency and provide free testing facilities. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashok, highlighted the escalating situation, with two infant deaths and numerous daily fatalities due to dengue. He emphasized the need for immediate action, including the establishment of task forces and control rooms in every taluk to curb the outbreak. Ashok raised concerns that despite the rising cases, the government remains passive. He cited data indicating that out of 100 samples tested, 13-14% are positive for dengue, with the mortality rate among co-morbid patients being particularly alarming. The BJP leader stressed the importance of comprehensive measures to control the outbreak, such as forming task forces in each taluk, setting up control rooms, and ensuring sufficient medicine supplies. However, the government has reportedly neglected these essential steps. Ashok also highlighted the financial burden faced by patients, with testing costs ranging from ₹600-1,000. He appealed to the government to provide free testing, as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic. This would alleviate the financial strain on low-income families. In addition, the BJP leader emphasized the need for sanitation, door-to-door testing, and the involvement of ASHA and Anganwadi workers. He also called for separate wards in hospitals for dengue patients and intensified mosquito control measures. The BJP’s demands underscore the urgent need for the Karnataka government to take decisive action to control the dengue outbreak, prioritize patient care, and provide necessary support to affected communities.
Declare dengue as medical emergency, provide free testing: Karnataka BJP
Bengaluru: With the number of dengue cases rising rapidly in the state, the BJP on Sunday urged the government to declare dengue a medical emergency and provide free testing facilities.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashok, stressed the need to set up a task force and a control room in every taluk to monitor and control the spread of dengue. He also demanded that the government ensure availability of medicines and carry out fogging to control mosquitoes.
Ashok stated that since January, the number of dengue cases has increased in the state, resulting in two infant deaths and three to four deaths every day. He added that people across the state are living in fear but the government remains unmoved.
During his visit to a government hospital, where he met infected patients and doctors, Ashok revealed that out of 100 samples tested, 13-14% were confirmed as dengue. He also raised concerns over the high mortality rate among co-morbid patients.
Stressing on the importance of controlling dengue, the BJP leader said the government should have formed a task force in every taluk, set up a control room and ensured supply of medicines. However, the government has failed to take these necessary steps.
Ashok alleged that over two lakh people in the state are infected with dengue and the government should bear the cost of testing. He appealed to the government to provide free testing as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, people pay between ₹600-1,000 for testing, which is unaffordable for the poor.
The BJP leader also stressed on the need for sanitation, door-to-door testing of people with dengue symptoms and activation of ASHA and Anganwadi workers. He also demanded setting up of separate wards in hospitals for dengue patients and intensification of spraying to control mosquitoes.
