Approach NABH-listed hospitals: Experts

In this backdrop, health activists have insisted that tests must be conducted in labs that were fully equipped to conduct all kinds of checks to confirm the prevalence of the fever in a person. It could be better tested in the 18 hospitals listed by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) and 12 labs under the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) in the city. 

Stating that NABH is the central government’s premier body for rating hospitals, B G Menon, managing director, Acme Consulting, said, “Whenever there is an epidemic or disaster, all NABH hospitals in the region must gear up. If they fail to do so and if someone lodges a complaint against a hospital or hospitals, they might lose accreditation.” 

“The protocols put forth by the accreditation board are strict. Extending the same protocols to dengue will help the patients achieve a safe environment,” said a doctor from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Supplementing the efforts of the government in its fight against an epidemic is paramount and that too like the present situation in the State, the doctor added. 

The NABH Hospitals and NABL labs have an URL which is www.qualityhealth.in/buddy/ topic/DengueHelpline, making it easy for public to locate them. Information on the site is being updated real time,” said Menon, adding that there is also a tollfree number 1800 425 2340 manned 24/7 to help people locate the accredited hospital or lab closest to them.” 

Stressing on the need for extra caution to be taken in terms of this ‘mass killer’, Priya Gopalan, a health activist said, “There have been a number of reports on the arrest of quacks. It is therefore important that patients visit a qualified medical practitioner.”