CHITWAN: The Bharatpur Metropolitan City has said it would ensure regular supply of dengue test kits to government hospitals in Chitwan district amidst Bharatpur hospital complaining of short supply of the kits.

The Metropolis’ assurance follows the hospital which wrote to the metropolis informing that the hospital lacks the kits. Following this, the metropolis wrote to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Teku asking for the supply of 1,000 kits immediately and additional 4,000 in some days, said Pradhumna Upadhyay, chief of the social development division of the Metropolis.

“Necessary dengue test kits will be available in government hospitals in the district. I have talked with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav in this regard,” said the metropolis mayor Renu Dahal.

The Metropolis would manage the kits with a due procedure for a temporary solution if concerned sectors fail to ensure the supply immediately, she said.

Dr. Sriram Tiwari, medical superintendent of the hospital, said dengue test has come to a halt for want of the kits. “Today 300 kits will be supplied today, which lasts not more than two days. I believe that there will not be a shortage of the kits as the metropolis mayor and Chief District Officer have been informed of it,” he said.

The hospital does not have the authority to purchase the kits, which also makes the matter worse, said Dr. Tiwari.

The hospital’s information officer, Liladhar Poudel said patients visiting the hospital are recommended to visit private hospitals for want of the kits. Private hospitals charge up to Rs 2,000 for dengue test, while government hospitals do the same for free. So far the district has detected 537 dengue patients. Three persons have died from dengue and scrub typhus so far.

Various awareness campaigns have been carried out following the detection of the disease. The Metropolis has directed all wards to launch awareness campaigns.