Bengaluru, amid reports of a rise in dengue cases in the state, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Sunday urged the government to declare it as an "emergency situation" and make tests are free.
The BJP leader also highlighted the need to create a task force in each taluk and a control room, among other measures to monitor and control the spread of dengue.
"Dengue cases are increasing in the state since January, two children have died due to dengue and there are reports of three to four deaths due to dengue every day and it is painful. There is fear among people across the state, But the government is still not afraid," Ashoka said.
While speaking to reporters after visiting a government hospital here and meeting infected patients and doctors, he said that 13 to 14 per cent of the hundred samples tested are being confirmed for dengue, and there are reports of more deaths among those. who suffer from comorbidities.
"So controlling dengue is important...the government should have constituted a task force in each taluk, set up a control room and ensured supply of medicines, which it has not done," he added.
Ashoka further stated that as per the information he has collected, more than two lakh people are infected by dengue in the state, the government should bear the cost of testing.
"The way we made free testing during COVID... I urge the government to make it free immediately. Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 are charged for the tests, the poor cannot get them done," he said.
Pointing out that the government has increased taxes on everything, he said, "free tests can cost around Rs 10 million, can't the government spend that much?"
Noting that many children are among those infected, Ashoka said the government has probably not observed this.
"The government should declare dengue as an emergency situation and create alert among officials," he said.
He also highlighted the need for cleanliness, mobilization of ASHA and Anganwadi workers to monitor people with dengue symptoms house to house, setting up separate wards in hospitals for dengue cases, fogging to control mosquitoes and creating awareness and safety among people who were panicking about the situation.
The BJP leader also highlighted the need to create a task force in each taluk and a control room, among other measures to monitor and control the spread of dengue.
"Dengue cases are increasing in the state since January, two children have died due to dengue and there are reports of three to four deaths due to dengue every day and it is painful. There is fear among people across the state, But the government is still not afraid," Ashoka said.
While speaking to reporters after visiting a government hospital here and meeting infected patients and doctors, he said that 13 to 14 per cent of the hundred samples tested are being confirmed for dengue, and there are reports of more deaths among those. who suffer from comorbidities.
"So controlling dengue is important...the government should have constituted a task force in each taluk, set up a control room and ensured supply of medicines, which it has not done," he added.
Ashoka further stated that as per the information he has collected, more than two lakh people are infected by dengue in the state, the government should bear the cost of testing.
"The way we made free testing during COVID... I urge the government to make it free immediately. Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 are charged for the tests, the poor cannot get them done," he said.
Pointing out that the government has increased taxes on everything, he said, "free tests can cost around Rs 10 million, can't the government spend that much?"
Noting that many children are among those infected, Ashoka said the government has probably not observed this.
"The government should declare dengue as an emergency situation and create alert among officials," he said.
He also highlighted the need for cleanliness, mobilization of ASHA and Anganwadi workers to monitor people with dengue symptoms house to house, setting up separate wards in hospitals for dengue cases, fogging to control mosquitoes and creating awareness and safety among people who were panicking about the situation.
