Haryana Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao announces free platelets at govt hospitals; private sources to be used if needed. Dengue situation under control.

In an interview with the media at her official residence in Chandigarh today, the Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao disclosed that 65,707 samples have been collected for dengue testing throughout the state, with 1,041 confirmed cases. There are no reported fatalities associated with dengue. At government hospitals, testing is administered on a regular basis and is free of charge. Private hospitals charge a nominal fee of Rs 600. In addition, 27 testing laboratories are presently operational, and blood sampling has been conducted at the block level (CHC/PHC). 255 sections and 1,091 beds have been designated for dengue patients in government hospitals to accommodate any potential increase in the number of cases.

During the dengue outbreak season, the Health Department conducted a survey of 3.17 crore households, identifying dengue larvae in 1.73 lakh of them. These larvae were promptly eradicated. A total of 87,143 households have received notifications regarding the presence of larvae that were discovered on multiple occasions. In an effort to mitigate the outbreak of dengue, fogging operations have been implemented at 7,874 locations throughout the state. Through meetings at the state, district, and local levels, all departments have been assigned responsibilities. Municipal and panchayat departments are actively monitoring fumigation activities.

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Also, Aarti Singh Rao urged the public to maintain the cleanliness of coolers, tanks, and containers and to prevent water stagnation. She advised those who were experiencing symptoms of fever or dengue to seek medical attention promptly and refrain from self-medication. Health Minister stated that the government will shortly acquire 28 Mobile Food Safety Testing Vans to closely monitor and prevent the sale of counterfeit food items in the 14 Haryana districts that are part of the National Capital Region (NCR).

Aarti Singh Rao announced that the state government has escalated its campaign against food adulteration in anticipation of the impending festive season. 3,682 food samples have been collected since October 2024, and food safety inspections are currently being conducted throughout the state. Of these, 606 samples failed quality inspections. Legal action has been initiated, with cases lodged in the court of the ADC-cum-Adjudicating Officer. Violators have been fined in excess of Rs 1.10 crore.

In addition, she stated that Food Safety Officers have been instructed to prevent the importation of adulterated food items from neighboring states. There are presently two food testing laboratories that are operational, with a guaranteed reporting time of 14 days. While acknowledging the current limitation in lab capacity, the Minister stated that efforts are underway to increase infrastructure. To the central government, a proposal has been submitted to request the establishment of five FSSAI-approved laboratories and three NCRPB labs in Haryana.

The Minister provided additional information, stating that the Health Department conducted 28,000 health centers (screening approximately 28 lakh individuals) during the recently concluded Seva Pakhwada (September 17 to October 2). Additionally, private hospitals and institutions screened approximately 127,000 individuals.

In response to an additional inquiry, the Health Minister disclosed that the department has established purchasing rates for 241 items, including medications and consumables, which will incur a cost of Rs 419 crore. The purchase of 28 categories of medical equipment has also resulted in the signing of contracts worth Rs 134 crore.

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From October 2024 to the present, the department has issued 590 online purchase orders for life-saving pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, and injections, with a total value of Rs 103 crore. In addition, for medical apparatus, purchase orders totaling Rs 56 crore have been issued.

Furthermore, the Minister announced that CT scan machines will be implemented in Bahadurgarh, Charkhi Dadri, Narnaul, and Fatehabad in the near future as part of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Under the same paradigm, MRI machines will be installed in Kurukshetra, Panipat, Narnaul, Fatehabad, Bahadurgarh, Palwal, Yamunanagar, Sonipat, Sirsa, and Kaithal.

In addition, the department has placed orders for 14 new X-ray machines, and an additional 74 will be acquired in the near future.

Aarti Singh Rao, the Health Minister, extended her congratulations to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on his 25th anniversary of public service as both Chief Minister and Prime Minister. The nation’s progress in a variety of sectors is ongoing under his stewardship, she observed. In addition, she disclosed that the Prime Minister will inaugurate numerous significant development projects in Sonipat on October 17, which are anticipated to revitalize Haryana’s expansion.