New system to identify dengue patients

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has taken a decision to formulate a new system to identify dengue patients who require hospitalization, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

He said a special discussion was held at the Epidemiology Unit yesterday.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Senior Paediatricians and Physicians from Lady Ridgway Hospital, Peradeniya, Kandy, Kegalle, Ragama and Kalubowila Teaching Hospitals participated. It was also revealed that delays in hospitalization is a major reason behind the increasing number of dengue deaths. It was decided to provide special training for physicians and paediatricians in both main and regional hospitals, trained OPD doctors, improve protocols in treating dengue patients and educate the public. It was also decided that patients with Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever should be treated by experienced doctors.

The intention of the discussion was to present new recommendations on preventing deaths caused by Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome and exchanging experiences on controlling dengue.