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Medical audit finds only 3 fever deaths

KASARAGOD: A medical audit conducted by the Health Department in the district has found that a majority of the 30 deaths that occurred in the district between April second week and July 15 this year were due to diseases other than fever and chikungunya.

The audit was conducted by a team of six doctors led by Deputy District Medical Officer M. Kunhiraman. It included experts from district and taluk hospitals and public health centres. As per details of the audit, of the 30 deaths only three deaths could be termed as fever deaths. All other deaths were because of other chronic illnesses, said the report. The report noted that Dainabi, a native of Kuttikol in the district, who had been bed-ridden for the last three years following an attack of arthritis died on July 17 from her illness, but the death was reported as fever death. Similarly, Cheniyaru, a native of Kumbadage who died of heart disease, was reported to have died of fever.

As per the audit report, Sreedharan Naikkappu who was reported to have died on Wednesday of Chikungunya was a chronic alcoholic and had died of complications arising from excessive intake of alcohol. “While Thampan Nambiar, a native of West Eleri panchayat, died of respiratory complications, some newspapers termed the death a fever-related one, said the report.

Similarly, the audit report has made detailed references of reasons for all deaths occurred in the district from April second week which were reported as fever or chikungunya deaths.

Dr. Kunhiraman said while post-mortem examination of the bodies of those who were reported to have died of fever was necessary to identify the real reasons of death, few among public cooperated with such a suggestion. According to Dr. Kunhiraman, the incidence of chikungunya was decreasing in the district and the situation was under control.

Though the out-patient wings of government hospitals in the district had recorded an increase in the number of patients seeking medical aid, it should not be construed as worsening of the condition. An increased awareness of fever among the public was encouraging more and more people to approach government hospitals for aid, he said.

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