The first incompetent is: Vivian B.
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Dengue cases expected to surpass 1,000 a week
Epidemic worrying as Singapore just entering season for disease: Vivian
By Salma Khalik Senior Health Correspondent, The Straits Times, 12 June 2013, Front page
THE number of dengue infections is rising at a faster rate and is expected to top 1,000 infections a week - possibly as soon as this week.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said this is worrying because Singapore is just entering the dengue season, which usually runs from June to August.
So far this year, 9,544 people have fallen ill and two men have died from the disease.
Concerned over the way things are shaping up, Dr Balakrishnan and Dr Amy Khor, Minister of State for Health, held a joint press conference yesterday.
Dr Balakrishnan warned that the worst is yet to come. Should the full-blown epidemic shift from the east, where it now is, to the west - and early indications point to that happening - "the numbers will shoot through the roof", he said.
As it is, the dengue clusters this year are bigger than usual and active for a longer period.
The National Environment Agency's (NEA) head, Mr Andrew Tan, said it will step up efforts by recruiting 300 more officers to add to its current pool of 850. This will allow all homes in active clusters to be inspected within a week.
Dr Balakrishnan also urged people to open their doors to the inspectors, as these visits help to protect them. To make it more convenient, inspectors can also check homes at night or at the weekend.
NEA used its legislative powers to get a locksmith to open 10 homes this year when residents did not respond to notices sent to them.
But efforts by the Government alone will not be enough to win the fight against dengue. People must stop being complacent and take an active role, said Dr Balakrishnan.
"I am appealing for greater social consciousness and personal responsibility on the part of Singaporeans," he said.
He added that the spread of dengue is a self-inflicted problem. The bulk of mosquito breeding is still found in homes. Many of those found in public places are caused by litter.
Dr Balakrishnan said a population's ability to deal with any epidemic is personal hygiene and collective responsibility. "You are at risk if your neighbour's health is compromised," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Khor said the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been working closely with hospitals to ensure that there are enough beds in preparation for a surge in dengue numbers.
There are about 120 dengue patients warded in a public hospital at any time, taking up 1.8 per cent of beds.
Since March, the hospitals have added 160 beds, with 90 more expected by the end of this year, said Dr Khor. These are beds set up in observation areas and along corridors, but fitted properly for hospital use.
No dengue patient will be turned away because of the lack of beds, she said.
Following the death of the first dengue victim, Mr Ang Yong Han, 20, MOH sent a reminder to hospitals to give priority to patients who return within a short period to the emergency department.
On his second visit to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Mr Ang left before he could be seen by a doctor, after waiting for more than two hours.
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Dengue cases expected to surpass 1,000 a week
Epidemic worrying as Singapore just entering season for disease: Vivian
By Salma Khalik Senior Health Correspondent, The Straits Times, 12 June 2013, Front page
THE number of dengue infections is rising at a faster rate and is expected to top 1,000 infections a week - possibly as soon as this week.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said this is worrying because Singapore is just entering the dengue season, which usually runs from June to August.
So far this year, 9,544 people have fallen ill and two men have died from the disease.
Concerned over the way things are shaping up, Dr Balakrishnan and Dr Amy Khor, Minister of State for Health, held a joint press conference yesterday.
Dr Balakrishnan warned that the worst is yet to come. Should the full-blown epidemic shift from the east, where it now is, to the west - and early indications point to that happening - "the numbers will shoot through the roof", he said.
As it is, the dengue clusters this year are bigger than usual and active for a longer period.
The National Environment Agency's (NEA) head, Mr Andrew Tan, said it will step up efforts by recruiting 300 more officers to add to its current pool of 850. This will allow all homes in active clusters to be inspected within a week.
Dr Balakrishnan also urged people to open their doors to the inspectors, as these visits help to protect them. To make it more convenient, inspectors can also check homes at night or at the weekend.
NEA used its legislative powers to get a locksmith to open 10 homes this year when residents did not respond to notices sent to them.
But efforts by the Government alone will not be enough to win the fight against dengue. People must stop being complacent and take an active role, said Dr Balakrishnan.
"I am appealing for greater social consciousness and personal responsibility on the part of Singaporeans," he said.
He added that the spread of dengue is a self-inflicted problem. The bulk of mosquito breeding is still found in homes. Many of those found in public places are caused by litter.
Dr Balakrishnan said a population's ability to deal with any epidemic is personal hygiene and collective responsibility. "You are at risk if your neighbour's health is compromised," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Khor said the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been working closely with hospitals to ensure that there are enough beds in preparation for a surge in dengue numbers.
There are about 120 dengue patients warded in a public hospital at any time, taking up 1.8 per cent of beds.
Since March, the hospitals have added 160 beds, with 90 more expected by the end of this year, said Dr Khor. These are beds set up in observation areas and along corridors, but fitted properly for hospital use.
No dengue patient will be turned away because of the lack of beds, she said.
Following the death of the first dengue victim, Mr Ang Yong Han, 20, MOH sent a reminder to hospitals to give priority to patients who return within a short period to the emergency department.
On his second visit to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Mr Ang left before he could be seen by a doctor, after waiting for more than two hours.
