Delhi just witnessed the outbreak of Meningococcemia. In preceding years, it has a history of other communicable diseases like Dengue and Plague. With approaching monsoons and more than 30% population of Delhi living in less than 6% of area, Life Watch tried to explore East Delhi’s preparations against such diseases amidst claims and counter claims by the politicians belonging to two main rival parties.
Denizens of East Delhi were lucky that Meningococcemia did not strike here. Or else there were no vaccines available in sufficient quantity. As per our knowledge, there were several hospitals, which were not having the vaccine in sufficient quantity. According to Dr. M.C. Nath (Medical Superitendent) of Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan, 350 vaccines were received at the hospital, out of which 326 were used on their staff. If more patients had landed, where were the vaccines left to treat them?
It is true that the vaccine for meningitis – Nisseria Meningococcus – is scarce. It is also true that doctors and nurses are easy victims. Experts also state that the immune system produced by the intake of the vaccine to fight meningococcemia takes at least 10 days. But if a nurse dies of a disease that is already spreading as an epidemic, you can well imagine the fate of the common man.
Medication, in case of meningitis, cannot be given on clinical symptoms. As Dr. Ranjana Chhabra – Microbiologist at Deepak Memorial Hospital & Research Centre said: “General physicians give antibiotic in case of fever. This, in case of Meningitis, becomes fatal, as detection of Meningitis is difficult if the patient has consumed antibiotic for 3-4 days.” Should we not thank our stars that the disease did not spread much? Or else, our physicians prone to giving antibiotics at small pretexts would have ruined several a cases.”
The pivotal test to confirm meningitis is ‘Cerbero Spinal Fluid Test’. It was found by Life Watch that while some private hospitals were not having the facility for test, others like Shanti Mukund Hospital were charging Rs. 1000 for it. When it comes to Government Hospitals, while Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan was sending the samples to NICD for free testing, Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital chose to rely on pathology laboratories in the vicinity for reasons best known to them.
Moreover, in cases of Meningitis, sometimes breathing trouble starts. Commenting on the situation, Dr. Anil Mehra said, “If the patient requires ventilation, s/he must be shifted to ICU immediately. It is the duty of the hospital to provide better ventilation.” What we found to our surprise was that several hospitals didn’t even have proper ventilation and artificial respiratory systems. Deepak Memorial Hospital & Research Centre, for example, managed to spare only two beds and a doctor and nurse as its response to the outbreak.
Lessons to be learnt for future
Whether the system was efficient to face an outbreak of greater intensity is debatable. But if we cease to take lessons, we won’t find ourselves prepared.
This is the time when entire East Delhi is witnessing an upsurge in construction. Bridges are coming up, flyovers are being constructed, roads are being made and at places, long stretch of new roads are being laid, over nullahs and unauthorized constructions. With the coming of rains, this work is bound to stop. What would happen then? Won’t all the construction that is being carried for betterment become a greater nuisance than ever? Would it not be an invitation for mosquitoes to breed or water to log on? This is the time to take preventive measures. Are the authorities listening?
Box 1
Ramesh Pandit, MLC and Chairman, Health Committee, MCD on East Delhi’s preparations against monsoon.
Not a single case of meningitis was reported from East Delhi. Even then, we take precautions at the time of changing seasons. This is so because when weather changes, diseases show their face. Administration is fully geared up against Cholera. It puts a ban on sale of cut fruits and sugarcane juice. Chlorine tablets are distributed in all areas. Focus on cleanliness and better sanitation is maintained.
MCD distributes pamphlets and erect hoardings to make the people aware. Even electronic media is used for publicity. Hospitals are given special instructions not to show laxity and even mobile vans are put into service.
We have put in service an additional number of 14 rickshaws for the sake of maintaining cleanliness. 30 such rickshaws were already in operation. Dustbins have been put outside IP Extension societies and attempts are being made that no garbage remains standing.
Box 2
Dr. Harshvardhan, MLA and Ex-Minister – Health
The way this Government tackled Meningococcemia was not efficient. You have to have a super-dynamic approach. I still remember the period when plague hit Delhi in 1994. I was the health minister then. We did great publicity in creating awareness. A phone number was advertised and people with symptoms phoned on the number. Our system used to pick up the patient and take him to isolation area.
Today, basic problems like drainage, flooding of roads, problem of inadequate hospital beds/dispensaries, need to be tackled. Radical schemes should be taken up on immediate basis.
The way things are, as on today, I don’t think we are equipped with enough manpower, expertise, technical resources, etc. to fight an epidemic.
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