The city government in India’s capital is threatening to cancel the licences of private hospitals over allegations by distraught families that they turned away dying children during a lethal outbreak of dengue fever.

The worst outbreak in five years of the mosquito-borne disease, for which no vaccine exists, has exposed inadequate public health measures to combat it and overwhelmed both government and private hospitals.

Authorities have ordered surprise inspections at private hospitals to ensure they comply with last month’s order not to turn away dengue patients.

Doctors’ leave has been cancelled to help cope with the influx of sick people.Two children died after being denied treatments.

“It is heartbreaking,” said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. “We have become blind in the race to make more and more profit."

A six-year-old boy died after allegedly being turned away by five hospitals, his family has said, including one owned by Max India Ltd, which is one of the country's largest healthcare providers.