Public Health Department Issues Directive: Dengue Test Results Must Be Provided within 6 Hours
Posted on: 09/Oct/2023 10:44:29 AM
In a significant move, the Public Health Department has issued a directive mandating that laboratories furnish dengue test results within a maximum timeframe of 6 hours. This directive was announced during the Right to Information Act Awareness Week program, which took place at the TMS campus in Thenampet, Chennai, yesterday. The event saw the active participation of public health workers and was marked by an awareness rally led by Public Health Department Director Selvavinayagam. During a press briefing, Selvavinayagam conveyed the following information:
Efforts have been undertaken to expedite the delivery of dengue test results. Specifically, both government and private laboratories have been instructed to ensure that dengue test results are provided to patients within a swift 6-hour window. Furthermore, in anticipation of a potential rise in dengue cases in districts adjacent to the Western Ghats, special officers have been appointed in each district to facilitate early detection of dengue cases.
It is anticipated that the incidence of dengue may increase in Tamil Nadu over the next three months, although at present, the situation remains under control within the state.
With the onset of the rainy season, the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya escalates among the population. Currently, an average of 40 individuals are being afflicted with dengue on a daily basis. As of now, hospitals in the region are tending to 503 patients undergoing treatment for dengue," he disclosed.
