Mysuru: There is a sense of panic among Mysureans ever since dengue outbreak has been reported. Adding to their fear is the dramatic increase in the number of dengue positive cases and reports of fever-related deaths. And the direct impact of this fear is being felt at city hospitals that are full with patients literally crowding in front of physicians’ chambers and blood test counters.  

Several people having fever and those who are low on platelet counts are being treated as out-patients at various hospitals as they have no space to accommodate them.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Dr. Vinod Appaiah, General Manager, Apollo BGS Hospitals, said that though they were running short of beds, efforts were on to educate patients about the situation and about who really needs to be treated as in-patients.

Currently, out of the total 214 beds at Apollo, 52 are occupied by patients with fever and suspected dengue. “For those patients who insist upon getting admitted, we try to provide them admission whenever beds are available,” he added.

Mysuru, also being home for K.R. Hospital, a referral hospital to surrounding districts of Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan and Kodagu, has been getting a lot of people from these districts and nearby areas on a daily basis.

Nearly 30-40 patients with fever and dengue symptoms visit K.R. Hospital daily and the authorities there have been doing their best to treat every patient. “We have instructed our staff to treat every patient coming to the hospital with fever. As there is scarcity of beds, I have instructed my staff to convert special wards into ordinary wards so that enough beds are available. We are providing beds to be spread on the floor to meet emergencies,” said Dr. Chandrashekar, In-charge Medical Superintendent, K.R. Hospital.

The plight of private hospitals is no better as almost every hospital is facing acute bed shortage. “We are definitely overloaded. Those who are really in need have been provided admission. Our doctors follow certain protocols and based on the results they decide on admitting patients. Though we are outstretched, we have been able to manage,” said Col. Rahul Tiwari, General Manager, Columbia Asia Hospital.

For a hospital like Kamakshi that is close to areas like Kuvempunagar, Saraswathipuram, Janata Nagar, T.K. Layout, Dattagalli, managing patients has been a challenge.  

“Ever since the weather has changed, there has been a rapid increase in number of fever and suspected dengue cases. We are running short of beds and with no other option, we have been treating patients on OPD (out patient department) basis. We are in constant contact with patients for follow-up,” said S.V. Prasanna Kumar, General Manager, Kamakshi Hospital. “The moment a bed is vacant, we inform the patient who badly needs admission to get admitted here,” he added.

Hospitals are also making sincere efforts to create awareness among people to make them understand the difference between viral fever and dengue.

With Department of Health and Family Welfare making ELISA Test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) mandatory to declare a patient dengue positive, hospitals have been sending blood samples to the Department for confirmation.

“There is a sense of panic. One needs to understand that not all cases of fever are dengue. The Health Department has made ELISA Test compulsory but it takes a minimum of three to four days for the results to come. Currently, we have been using ‘card method’ and treatment is provided based on the results. At the same time, we are sending blood samples to the Health Department for ELISA test for final confirmation,” said Dr. Santhrupth, Managing Director, Shanthaveri Gopala Gowda Hospital.

By S.N. Venkatnag Sobers