People's Democracy

 

Immediately Declare Dengue an Epidemic in Delhi

 

P M S Grewal, secretary of the Delhi state committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), issued the following statement on September 21, 2010.

 

FEVERS of different types have assumed epidemic proportions in Delhi. Dengue is the most dominant form of disease that is affecting a large number of people. Other kinds of viral fever and vector borne diseases have also seen an alarming rise. It is clear that above normal monsoon and the ongoing construction work for Commonwealth Games are responsible for the situation. Having failed to undertake any preventive measures, the Delhi government and the union health ministry remain in a denial mode.

 

The official estimates of dengue admit to only around 2,300 cases. As per unofficial estimates, over a lakh people have been affected by dengue so far across Delhi. The Delhi government is deliberately downplaying estimates of dengue cases in the name of safeguarding the Commonwealth Games. Hundreds of people are being admitted to hospital every day, bulk of them in private hospitals. In the absence of any corresponding response from the government, panic is gripping the citizens.

 

The CPI(M) demands that the Delhi government and the union health ministry immediately come out of their denial mode and respond to this grave crisis with transparency and sensitivity.

 

The CPI(M) demands:

 

1) Dengue fever should immediately be declared as an epidemic in Delhi by the state government

 

2) Special administrative and medical efforts to meet the epidemic should be undertaken in coordination with the union health ministry.

 

3) Provisions for free blood test, treatment and medicines in slums and unauthorised colonies must be ensured with delay

 

4) A thorough assessment should be made of cases of dengue as well as other vector borne diseases, reported so far in public as well as private hospitals and clinics.

 

The CPI(M) will be forced to take agitational course if the Delhi government ignores these demands and chooses to remain indifferent towards the sufferings of the people. (INN)