Delhi govt sets up helpline for chikungunya, dengue patients

NEW DELHI: With the capital city witnessing a spurt in chikungunya and dengue cases, Delhi government today launched a helpline to provide medical assistance to people and help them locate nearest fever clinics.

Chikungunya is taking its toll in Delhi with the number of cases increasing to over 1,700 this season and fever clinics getting swamped with patients.

A senior government official said people can call at 011-22307145 to get information relating to nearest fever clinics and also medical assistance.

The Health Department of Delhi government has set up 355 fever clinics across the city to deal with dengue and chinkungunya cases, the official said.

Besides, the government has also made public lists of its 24 hospitals where diagnostic tests are done free of cost.

These hospitals where free medicines are also available include Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital, Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital and GTB Hospital.

"The Government has directed medical superintendents of its hospitals not to refuse to admit patients. There is no dearth of beds at government hospitals as about 2,000 beds are lying vacant," the official said.

A 75-year-old man from south Delhi today succumbed to chikungunya complications at a city hospital, taking to 12 the number of fatalities due to the vector-borne disease in the city.

The death toll due to dengue in the city has increased to 18 while the total number of cases of the disease crossed over 1,150.