Declare Dengue Medical Emergency, Provide Free Testing: BJP in Karnataka

Bengaluru: Amidst the rapid surge in dengue cases in the state, the BJP on Sunday urged the government to declare dengue a medical emergency and provide free testing facilities.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashok, emphasized the need to establish a task force and a control room in each taluk to monitor and control the spread of dengue. He also demanded that the government ensure the availability of medicines and conduct fogging to control mosquitoes.

Ashok stated that since January, dengue cases have been on the rise in the state, resulting in two child fatalities and three to four deaths daily. He added that people across the state are living in fear, but the government remains unperturbed.

During his visit to a government hospital, where he met infected patients and doctors, Ashok revealed that out of 100 samples tested, 13-14% were confirmed to have dengue. He also expressed concern over the high mortality rate among co-morbid patients.

The BJP leader emphasized the importance of controlling dengue, stating that the government should have formed a task force in each taluk, established a control room, and ensured the supply of medicines. However, the government has failed to take these necessary steps.

Ashok claimed that over two lakh people in the state have been infected with dengue, and the government should bear the cost of testing. He appealed to the government to provide free testing, just as it did during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, people are being charged between ₹600-1,000 for testing, which is unaffordable for the poor.

The BJP leader also stressed the need for sanitation, door-to-door testing of people with dengue symptoms, and the activation of ASHA and Anganwadi workers. He also demanded the establishment of separate wards in hospitals for dengue patients and the intensification of fogging to control mosquitoes.