State files report in HC on dengue control

Dr J Radhakrishnan, Health Secretary, in a status report filed before the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar on Friday, said in Tamil Nadu, besides the 125 centres where Elisa test for dengue fever is being done, which is the highest in any State in the country, as many as 837 new blood cell counter equipment have been provided, at a cost of Rs.23.50 crore. 

Noting that as a dengue control measure, traditional Indian medicines like Nilavembu kudineer podi are being supplied daily to the public free of cost, the Health Secretary also submitted that if sources of breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes are identified, the owners will be penalised under Sections 83 and 84 of the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939 and under section 269 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

However, in response to the petitioner’s plea to reimburse the expenditure incurred by individuals towards dengue treatment under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Insurance Scheme, Radhakrishnan submitted that the said insurance scheme is a cashless facility under which no direct financial assistance can be given. Under the scheme, treatment in ICUs in empaneled private hospitals for dengue complications like shock dengue syndrome and hemorrhagic syndrome are already covered, he added.