MLC Dr Sarji accuses govt of underreporting dengue cases

Mangaluru: MLC Dr Dhananjaya Sarji (in pic) has accused the state govt of underreporting dengue cases in Karnataka. Referring to the state govt data that shows 6,300 dengue cases since Jan, Sarji told reporters on Saturday that even the cases admitted to taluk hospitals were not entered into the health department’s dengue database.
The BJP MLC also accused the govt of not taking measures to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce sources of mosquitoes.
“Even as the state has been witnessing the spread of dengue, the govt is sleeping. According to the state govt’s data, seven persons, including a doctor from Mysuru, have succumbed to dengue. Though hospitals across the state have been getting dengue cases in large numbers, the health department does not enter the data properly. Beds in ICUs of hospitals are all occupied as there are many severe cases. The govt needs to wake up and respond properly,” Dr Sarji said.
“There should be a proper mechanism to collect data from all laboratories and hospitals regarding the dengue cases on a daily basis. The govt, which has fixed Rs 250 for dengue tests, should also continuously monitor to ensure that no hospital charges more. Further, the govt should supply mosquito nets and repellents to all patients in the state,” he said.
CM should quit: MLC Ravi Kumar
BJP MLC N Ravi Kumar demanded the resignation of chief minister Siddaramaiah over the Muda scam. Referring to Union minister HD Kumaraswamy’s statements on the allotment of alternative sites by Mysore Urban Development Authority (Muda), which has embroiled CM Siddaramaiah’s wife, Kumar said the CM should resign on moral grounds. He accused the Siddaramaiah govt of diverting funds meant for the welfare of SC/ST communities. “The funds of Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation have also been diverted for elections in other states,” he added.