Lt Governor Najeeb Jung visits Delhi hospitals, calls for special care of elderly

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Sunday visited several hospitals across the city to take stock of their preparedness in dealing with the rising number of chikungunya and dengue cases in the national capital, and stressed on “special attention” to the elderly.

His visit came a day after the AAP government accused him of adopting a “casual approach” in dealing with the health crisis in the city.

Delhi is reeling under the viral onslaught of chikungunya and dengue, which have claimed at least 33 lives and affected over 2,800 people.

Jung, accompanied by Delhi Secretary Chandrakar Bharti and other top officials, visited fever clinics, laboratories at Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital, Bara Hindu Rao Hospital and GTB Hospital. The team interacted with patients, doctors, medical superintendents, staff and other visitors to assess the situation.

“He instructed the medical superintendents and doctors to ensure that patients with complications, particularly those who are elderly, should be attended to with greater care,” a statement from the Raj Niwas said.

Jung also directed Delhi health secretary to help provide additional doctors, if required, seeing the surge of patients today.

The AAP government and the Lt Governor had a standoff yesterday after Health Minister Satyendar Jain and Water Minister Kapil Mishra went to meet the LG at his office to discuss the health crisis, but could not meet him as he was not present in his office.

While Jain questioned why Jung did not cut short his US visit “even by one hour”, the LG’s office accused the AAP government of “politicising the issue” when the city was grappling with the health crisis.