In response to the growing number of dengue cases, Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand chaired a meeting on Wednesday with health department officials to address the ongoing issue of vacant positions for the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Principal Medical Officer (PMO).
The district has reported 327 cases of dengue so far, with no deaths linked to the disease this year. However, health officials suggest the actual number may be higher, as many residents opt for treatment at private hospitals and labs, which often do not report cases to government authorities despite requests for cooperation.
Authorities are closely monitoring dengue hotspots, with four to five areas showing the highest concentration of cases. Efforts are underway to improve the accuracy of reported infections and enhance the focus on preventive measures.
Locals have raised concerns that inadequate civic amenities are contributing to the spread of the disease. Soniya Sharma, a homemaker from Karnal, shared her struggle after being diagnosed with dengue. Despite being hospitalized for three days due to low platelet count, she is unsure where she contracted the infection. She pointed to the lack of regular road sweeping and the accumulation of waste near her home, particularly in a park where stagnant water often collects.
Similarly, Aditya Bhardwaj, a skill trainer, reported that his wife contracted dengue last month, but the source of infection remains unknown. He criticized the lack of basic civic services in their area, which forces residents to privately arrange for garbage collection and drain cleaning.
The situation has been further complicated by a shortage of key health department personnel. The CMO position has been vacant since August 6, following the promotion of Dr. Krishan Kumar to BJP MLA from Bawal. The PMO position has remained unfilled since Dr. Sanjeev Grover’s retirement on March 31. Dr. Renu Chawla, the civil surgeon from Kaithal, has been temporarily overseeing Karnal, and Dr. Balwan Singh, the senior-most medical officer, has assumed the role of PMO. However, permanent appointments are still pending.
In response to the rise in dengue cases, MLA Jagmohan Anand met with health officials, including Dr. Chawla and deputy civil surgeons, to review ongoing efforts and discuss preventive measures. Following the meeting, the MLA assured that all necessary actions to curb the spread of the disease would remain in effect.
Regarding the vacant positions, MLA Anand mentioned that Chief Minister Nayab Saini, who is scheduled to visit Karnal for Chhath Pooja celebrations, will be informed of the staffing shortages at the district health department, including the civil surgeon’s office.
