Despite an annual allocation of 3200 crores to the Delhi health ministry, the capital city is dealing with its worst vector borne epidemic since 2006 when Chikangunya first appeared to lead to crisis in Delhi. While 10 patients have already succumbed to chikangunya, the number of patients being admitted for the same continues to rise on a daily basis.
In the midst of the health crisis, the masses have been left wondering, who is charge of bringing back respite from the crisis; even as the Delhi Government claims that it has no power to help its people and that they should turn to the LG, Najeeb Jung for any further help. The political blame game continues to take its toll on those affected. While kin of patients are being forced to make their own arrangements for stretchers, saline drips and even beds in government hospitals, which are overflowing with dengue and chikangunya paitents.
Despite the epidemic like situation, the main ministers of Delhi including the chief minister are missing from the state. CM Kejriwal continues to campaign in Punjab while the health minister was forced to return to Delhi from Goa after repeated media exposure about absence of health infrastructure in Delhi. Out of the ten deaths, five deaths took place at Apollo hospital, Delhi. Close to 1000 cases of the vector borne disease have been registered and all fever clinics across the region are getting flooded with new cases on a daily basis.
