The SCB Medical College and Hospital seems to have turned happy hunting ground for touts as dengue outbreak grips the city.
With the increasing number of people flocking to the SCBMCH, touts are swarming the Casualty wing, OPDs and other facilities concerned, blatantly attempting to divert panic stricken persons to private diagnostic centres by promising cheap and accurate tests.
According to sources, the elements are particularly active in the Casualty Department, where most of the patients and people with suspected dengue fever have to report first. In connivance with unscrupulous medical staff, they are influencing the people for going to private centres for the tests.
The matter has come to the notice of the district administration which on Friday issued stern warning to the SCBMCH authorities to sanitise the campus of such elements. Collector Girish SN on Friday visited the hospital to inspect the functioning of the Casualty wing and the dengue ward in response to several complaints received by him.
He instructed the authorities and the doctors to screen undesirable elements and prevent them from entering the medical campus. He also ordered display of signboards making people aware of the tests for dengue as well as the provisions for free transport to the hospital, free treatment as well as free ICU services to the patients.
“I received complaints on touts trying to divert people to private centres for tests during my visit to the affected areas. I have asked the hospital authorities to take strong measures against such elements”, Girish said.
Around 53 patients have been admitted to the SCBMCH till date with three in the ICU.
With the number increasing by the day, the hospital authorities have readied 100 more beds to deal with emergency situation. A special team of doctors has been formed to treat dengue patients.
Meanwhile, death of a 23-year-old woman at Bhagatpur today sparked off angry protests as locals alleged she had succumbed to dengue. They staged a road blockade for several hours in the morning even as the administration refuted the allegations stating that reports showed she had malaria.
The administration also questioned why the girl was not tested for dengue or admitted to the hospital for treatment in case of suspected dengue.
“The Government has announced that all suspected cases and febrile people would be provided with free transportation, diagnosis and treatment in the hospitals.
People should come forward to get tested and receive treatment”, the Collector said.