KOZHIKODE: Monsoon diseases are on the rise in various parts of the district keeping health officials on their toes. Along with that is the diphtheria threat. The integrated disease surveillance project (IDSP) data show 1,192 fever cases were reported on July 15 of which 29 were admitted to hospitals. There was one suspected case of dengue and three cases of leptospirosis.
At least 424 people came to hospitals with diarrhea on July 15 alone. Three cases of malaria were also reported. “The health wing is functioning round the clock to control them. Besides the usual monsoon-related diseases, diphtheria was a cause for concern. As a result of the joint effort, people are now coming forward for vaccination,” said district medical officer (DMO) Dr R.L. Saritha. In rural areas, lack of physicians and basic infrastructure in hospitals are troubling the people.
Government hospitals in Vadakara, Thamarassery, Koyilandy and Perambra are overcrowded with fever patients. Many complaints in this regard with the minister in charge of the district had resulted in the early opening of the casualty block at Perambra Taluk Hospital on July 22. Retired doctors are being hired on contract to meet the emergency. But patients complain that the vacancy of nurses, pharmacists, attenders and lab technicians are not looked into.
“We need a permanent mechanism to deal with the situation and not an ill-conceived one. Nowadays, more people prefer government hospitals as they scare corporate hospitals squeezing them. But there is hardly any facilities in government hospitals,” said Madhusoodhanan K. of a Koyilandy-based NGO.
Meanwhile, grama panchayats have woken up to rein in diphtheria. Mavoor grama panchayat had decided to hold PTA meetings in all the schools on July 19 to educate the parents. “Following the meeting, all children in the age group of 10-17 would be given Td vaccine to resist diphtheria. Awareness classes, pamphlet distribution, street play, etc. would be carried out,” said Muneerath C., Mavoor panchayat president.
