Ludhiana November 4, 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau) : The official number of patients admitted with dengue in the district has crossed 400, though the actual figure is said to be much higher. Meanwhile, the Health Department has maintained silence regarding the number of patients who have died due to dengue. The reason cited is that, as per the head office’s directive, every death file must be reviewed by the Dengue Death Review Committee to determine whether the person actually died from dengue or from other causes.
In the past as well, several deaths caused by dengue were attributed to other illnesses by the Health Department. In many such cases, the opinions of the doctors who treated the patients were ignored, as were the lab reports. Even when the lab report confirmed a dengue-positive result, the Civil Hospital often dismissed those reports under the pretext of “cross-checking.” If the treating doctor’s diagnosis or the lab report was indeed wrong, then why were no actions ever taken against them? This practice has been continuing for years. It is said that such actions are taken to avoid declaring dengue as an epidemic and to prevent the government from having to provide compensation to the families of deceased patients.
Reports of suspected dengue patients being concealed
A large number of dengue patients are being reported in local hospitals, but the Health Department continues to understate the figures. Most patients are categorized as “suspected cases,” and information about these suspected patients is never made public. However, hospital records often list these same patients as positive. If hospitals are indeed issuing wrong reports or providing incorrect treatment, then why is no action taken against them?
No concern shown for patients’ welfare
Patients undergoing dengue treatment and their families say that the government should issue orders requiring every hospital to publicly display the official rates for dengue treatment so that people are not exploited by hospitals — as often happens. It is common for hospitals to charge patients much more than the government-approved rates. There is also a huge difference between the rates charged by private and corporate hospitals and the rates fixed by the government, which ultimately burdens the patients. People complain that the government is not safeguarding public interests — not a single hospital has faced any action so far, not even the issuance of a show-cause notice.
Summary:
Ludhiana reports over 400 dengue cases as concerns rise. The health department faces criticism for withholding details about deaths caused by the ongoing dengue outbreak.