Amid swine flu fear,two cases of suspected dengue reported at a city hospital have surprised the Health department. Both the cases have reportedly come to light at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. The Health department has,however,maintained the Eliza confirmatory test was not done on the patients therefore they could not be termed dengue cases. While one of the cases has been identified as one Surinder,a resident of Jeev Nagar on Barnala Road in Bathinda,who is still undergoing treatment for the disease at the hospital,the other case is reportedly from the city. However,the hospital authorities refrained from making any statement in this regard. It has been learnt that the DMCH had communicated the details of the patients to the Civil Surgeon's office lately. District Health Officer Dr SS Dhir said the cases were in his knowledge but the Eliza test had not been conducted on them to prove they are patients of dengue. He,however,admitted other tests had proved the patients were taken ill with dengue fever. On the other hand,Dr SP Sharma,Civil Surgeon,said the cases were not proved and one of the cases from the city was an old case. Generic medicines at affordable ratesThe Health department is going to launch a new scheme 'Jan Aushadhi' at the local Civil Hospital on Wednesday. The scheme will provide the patients generic medicines at affordable prices. The drugs,which are generally sold by the drug manufacturing companies at higher prices,will be made available with their generic names at cheaper rates. A team of senior health officials from Chandigarh is expected to inaugurate the scheme at the Civil Hospital complex tomorrow.
