The dengue ward at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Sept. 21: The patients’ turnout at SCB Medical College and Hospital is likely to increase following the outbreak of dengue in Balasore.

However, the special dengue ward set up at the premier state-run hospital lacks facilities, causing inconvenience to the patients undergoing treatment there.

“We had admitted my son to SCB after he was diagnosed with dengue in Hyderabad last week. But we are facing problems because there is no provision for drinking water at the ward,” said a patient’s father, Sukumar Hati, 55.

Hati said they have to either purchase water from outside or fill their bottles from tanks outside different wards.

The special dengue ward is functioning from the second floor of the trauma and casualty department. So far, 43 patients from different parts of the state were admitted to the 25-bed ward, established on September 9. Of the 43 patients, over 20 have been treated and discharged, while the remaining are undergoing treatment.

Health minister Damodar Rout, who was at SCB to inaugurate a mobile mortuary today, said all measures were being taken to tackle the dengue outbreak.

“Four persons have died so far, while 442 persons have been tested positive for dengue in the state. We are aware of the situation and necessary measures have been taken,” said Rout.

Rout said that out of the total dengue cases, 202 were reported from Ganjam, 70 from Balasore, 57 from Angul, 17 from Bhadrak, 13 from Jajpur and 10 from Khurda.

“The toilets are not cleaned properly and there is inconsistent water supply to the bathrooms,” said Atanu Jena, another attendant from Deograh.

Sources said there was inconsistent water supply to the dengue ward because most of the water was being used for the ongoing construction on the fourth floor.

The high court appointed Advocates’ Committee has also expressed concern over the lack of drinking water provision and sanitation during a visit to the dengue ward yesterday evening. The committee members said that 18 persons have tested dengue positive at Bhograi block in Balasore and there are reports of dengue outbreak in Kendrapara and Salipur.

“More patients are likely to get admitted to SCB’s dengue ward, following the outbreak in northern Odisha and neighbouring states, including Bengal. Though the ward is well-prepared, it lacks basic facilities such as drinking water provisions,” said member Tarananda Patnaik.

Patnaik said the committee had brought such deficiencies to the notice of the hospital authorities who have promised to resolve the issues at the earliest.