Hubballi: Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Arvind Bellad, and Hubballi-Dharwad Central constituency MLA, Mahesh Tenginkai, visited Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) here on Sunday evening. They toured the wards where dengue patients are admitted and inquired about their wellbeing.



Both leaders gathered information about the number of dengue cases being treated at the hospital and inquired about the facilities available to treat the patients, including the testing facility.

KIMS Director Dr. S.F. Kammar informed the leaders that as of July 7, 48 patients are being treated by the Department of Medicine. Of these, 25 patients are from Dharwad, and 23 are from surrounding districts, mainly Haveri and Gadag. A total of 15 patients tested positive for dengue from April to June at KIMS.

Two patients are admitted to the MICU as of July 7. No adult patient suffering from dengue has died at KIMS, said the director.

He also noted that more patients are admitted with dengue-like symptoms but tested negative for the infection. However, he did not elaborate on why these patients, despite having similar symptoms of dengue, did not test positive.

Four Dengue-Infected Children Died

The director of KIMS informed both leaders that four dengue-infected children died recently, all from Haveri district.

Doctors said that as of July 7, 27 children are being treated in the ward and six are being treated in the ICU.

Later, speaking to the media, Arvind Bellad urged Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to take appropriate steps to curb the growing number of dengue cases and urged him to actively engage his department in this regard. He attributed these numbers to the failure of the minister and his ministry.

MLA Tenginkai said the government should form a task force and work on a war footing to curb the numbers and prevent dengue cases.

KIMS Principal Dr Ishwar Hosamani, PMSSY Medical Superintendent Dr Rajshankar, Dr Rajashekhar Dyaberi, Dr Vinod Ratageri, Dr Sachin Hosakatti and others were present.