Members of the Mandya Zilla Panchayat expressed concern over the Health Department’s “failure” to prevent the spread of dengue in the district, at a general body meeting here on Thursday.
Opposition leader B. Basavaraju and former panchayat vice-president S.C. Shankaregowda sought details from District Health Officer T.N. Marigowda, who, however, failed to provide satisfactory answers. The panchayat members tried to draw Dr. Marigowda’s attention to the series of dengue deaths reported in the district.
Referral of patients
Panchayat members alleged that Health Department officials had not taken the issue seriously.
Instead, the officials are referring patients to private hospitals in Mysore.
The members said that farmers were reeling under severe drought and were therefore, unable to pay hospital bills. Officials should ensure that proper treatment is available to patients, they urged.
A.L. Kempu Gowda and M. Huche Gowda urged officials concerned to provide better medical facilities to farmers. Another member, Komala, requested that fogging be taken up to curb dengue. Panchayat members brought up the drinking water and transformer issues in the district.
Mandya Zilla Panchayat president Bharathi Krishnamurthy, vice-president Prabhakar and chief executive officer P.C. Jayanna were present.
