NEW DELHI: Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain today telephoned Union Health Minister JP Nadda to discuss the situation in the national capital in the wake of the widespread dengue scare here with the disease having claimed 11 lives so far this season.
A senior Delhi government official said Nadda asked Jain to tighten the noose around private hospitals by taking strict action if they refuse to admit suspected cases of dengue.
"The Delhi Health Minister discussed the dengue situation in the national capital with the Union Health Minister over the phone.
"Jain also apprised Nadda of the measures taken by the state government to combat the vector-borne disease," the official said.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Jain visited GTB Hospital and Hedgewar Hospital to take stock of dengue preparedness.
Warning that hospitals which refuse patients will be penalised, the Chief Minister said that his government was contemplating bringing in a law to enable temporary takeover of private hospitals during emergencies.
"I appeal to everyone to donate blood as much as possible. This will be good... others will get relief," Kejriwal said.