This story is from July 25, 2014

Encephalitis deaths poke hole in official claims

With four deaths in last 24 hours and 7 in 48 hours, encephalitis toll has already touched 80-mark this year at BRD Medical College.
Encephalitis deaths poke hole in official claims
GORAKHPUR: With four deaths in last 24 hours and 7 in 48 hours, encephalitis toll has already touched 80-mark this year at BRD Medical College. Around 26 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the encephalitis ward of the college. Apart from it, Japanese Encephalitis outbreak has already affected around 350 children, including 13 cases reported in the last two days.
As the epidemic is an annual affair and usually outbreaks in monsoon and spreads its tentacles in Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Maharajganj and Sant Kabirnagar districts, the health department's response too has remained confined to issuing statements. The seven deaths in last 48 hours were reported from Maharajganj (2), Gorakhpur (3) and Sant Kabir Nagar (2).
While the health officials claim that 100 of its primary health institutes in the region have been turned into encephalitis treatment centres, the fact remains that only BRD Medical College is equipped to treat encephalitis patients. Even district hospitals lack adequate facilities in ICU.
This can be judged by the fact that while the medical is flooded with cases of encephalitis, not a single case has been reported from Gorakhpur District Hospital so far. Pediatrician Dr Rajaram said, "In March 2012, funds were allocated to Gorakhpur district hospital for ICU and the tender was finalized on July 13. The 12-bedded ICU was declared operational recently. However, the ICU has only 10 oxygen cylinders against the minimum requirement of 32 as a cylinder is changed twice in a day on a bed."
He further added, "Even inverter is a problem. It is unable to bear the load in case of power cut. Stabilizer too is missing. It is difficult to operate ventilators and other equipments. Besides, staff crunch too is there. We need at least 12 doctors and nine staff nurse to run the ICU in three shifts."
Talking to TOI, additional director, health, Dr DN Tripathi said, "Medical superintendent has been asked to provide a list of short comings. The problems will be resolved soon. Two pediatricians have already been deployed at the ICU of the district hospital and the process of recruitment of paramedical staff is also under way. Very soon they will be undergoing training at BRD Medical College."
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