VASCO: While 10-year-old Mahima Singh from Desterro died of dengue on Wednesday, her brothers were rushed to the hospital after showing symptoms of the disease.
“Doctors at Cottage Hospital, Chicalim conducted a rapid blood test on Shiva Singh (14) and referred him to GMC, where he is undergoing treatment. His condition is reportedly fine. I was also informed that the younger brother Shubham Singh (9) had been admitted to GMC for suspected dengue fever. However, the test results of both patients are still awaited,” said Dr Rashmi Khandeparkar, health officer of Vasco Urban Health Centre (UHC).
The news of three dengue cases from in one family has irked Desterro locals. While expressing concern about the sudden rise in dengue cases in their locality, they blamed the State administration, ward councillor and local MLA for neglecting the issue.
“Leaders come to our ward only during elections to ask for votes. After a few dengue-related deaths were reported in Vasco, we were told that officials would take action. But till date, no officer has come to check if there are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Even the gutters have not been cleaned, and there is no sign of fogging in our area, due to which people are suffering and even losing their lives,” said a local.
The aggrieved locals have demanded that the government take immediate action to curb the dengue menace, failing which they will hold a protest.
Meanwhile, Mahima’s death shocked the management of ‘Our Lady of Desterro High School’, where she studied. She was not only a bright student, but also represented the school in sports meets. A schoolteacher stated, “She recently helped our school secure third place in the U-14 taluka-level football tournament at the sports complex ground two weeks ago. The death of such a bright student is big loss for us.”
