Berhampur, Sept. 9: A five-member committee, appointed by Orissa High Court, has advised the MKCG Medical College and Hospital authorities to open a special isolation ward and 24-hour test facility for dengue patients.

“Ganjam is the worst-affected district and we came here to review the status and the system management of the treatment to tackle dengue as directed by the high court,” said P.R. Das, a member of the committee that visited the hospital today.

The committee inspected the three dengue wards attached to chest and TB, medicine and new medicine, talked to patients and doctors and discussed the matter with hospital superintendent Ashok Kumar Behera.

Since August 6, 170 patients have been admitted to the dengue ward in hospital and 84 of them tested positive. “Now, these 84 dengue patients from different parts of Ganjam district are being treated in three wards. Today, four more suspected dengue patients were admitted and they are under observation,” said Behera.

Stating that there were only 10 beds in the new medicine ward for dengue patients, Das said: “We suggested opening of a special isolation ward for dengue patients in the new medicine ward. Isolation of the patients with mosquito nets in a separate building is highly essential to contain the disease. We must also protect other general patients and their attendants from dengue.”

However, the committee expressed satisfaction regarding the treatment of dengue patients. “We only advised the authorities to take action on some problematic aspects such as provision of bed and test facility,” Das said.

Senior manager of the hospital Prafulla Kumar Das said that though the hospital had adequate testing kits, it lacked sufficient staff. “We will hire some extra employees to provide 24-hour testing facilities to the patients,” he said.