Home Dehradun R Rajesh Kumar warns blood banks against overcharging patients for platelets

R Rajesh Kumar warns blood banks against overcharging patients for platelets

435
0
SHARE

Health Secy conducts inspection of Doon Medical College Hospital

By Our Staff Reporter

Dehradun, 29 Aug: In view of the rapidly increasing dengue cases in the state, Health Secretary Dr RRajesh Kumar conducted a surprise inspection of Doon Medical College Hospital (Doon Hospital) today.  Dr Kumar first went to the Blood Bank of the Hospital to see the arrangements there. Here he issued directions that the process of RDP and SDP should be done round the clock. Principal of the Medical College, Dr Ashutosh Sayana informed him that, in the next 10 days, the second apheresis machine for preparing jumbo packs of Single Donor Platelets (SDP) would be installed here as a result of which there would be significant reduction in waiting time for the SDP for the patients.

After this, the Health Secretary inspected the Dengue ward and Paediatrics wards. As many as 67 beds have been set up in the dengue ward, while 30 beds are reserved for dengue in the Paediatrics Ward. The Health Secretary instructed the officers to maintain coordination regarding dengue patients of Medicine and Paediatrics wards. He also sought information related to the treatment being received in the hospital from the patients suffering from dengue and their relatives.

Later, talking to the media, Dr R Rajesh Kumar said that the inspection has been done in view of the increasing cases of dengue – 100 beds have been reserved for the patients. The number of normal patients is more than the severe dengue patients. If necessary, the number of beds in the hospital would be increased for dengue patients. He appealed to the general public to be alert and aware about dengue. He added that it is the endeavour of the Health Department that platelets are made available to the patients on time. The Health Secretary said that action will be taken against the complaints of hospitals, blood banks and pathology labs charging exorbitant fees from dengue patients or overcharging them for platelets and jumbo packs in the name of treatment. Black marketeers would not be spared, he warned, adding that the rates that can be charged from the patients have been determined at the level of CMO.

In response to questions of journalists, the Health Secretary said that a campaign is being run across the state regarding adulteration. This process has gained momentum with the advent of mobile vans. Right now, the department has two mobile vans. Soon, 10 more mobile vans will also arrive. After which there will be speed in testing and checking adulteration. Along with this, soon after Rudrapur, a laboratory will also be set up in Dehradun district for testing food samples. Director General, Health, CMO Dehradun, Principal of Doon Medical College and other officers were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, a 22 point guideline was also issued by the State Health Department for prevention of the spread of Dengue. The guidelines included directions to the district administrations to declare Dengue as notifiable disease and take steps for effective control of dengue virus like spray and fogging of all densely populated urban and rural areas and markets, etc.