MillenniumPost
Delhi

Be more prepared for swine flu: Walia

Health minister A K Walia has directed 22 hospitals, including five private hospitals, on Thursday to establish isolation care and treatment facility for H1N1 cases in order to prevent swine flu from becoming an epidemic.

In Delhi alone, so far, 62 cases of swine flu have been reported, of which three have resulted in deaths.

According to Dr Malhotra, Sir Gangaram hospital, 39 cases have been suspected in their hospital from January till date out of which 13 are confirmed. One patient had died. In the last two to three weeks more such cases are being reported.

Doctors say H1N1 completely manageable and curable with timely intervention. But some Delhi hospitals are still unprepared for swine flu.

Doctors also point out that the past records of swine flu stating that swine flu have been a threat to the masses only because the authorities concerned were unprepared.

These days, medications are available in sufficient quantity.

On Thursday, Walia instructed that hospitals must also have intensive care facilities specifically for H1N1 patients. The ventilators must also be kept in readiness in cases which require intervention of this nature. He was reviewing the situation with regard to H1N1 in view of the recent spurt of these cases.

According to Walia, testing for H1N1 cases is being done at National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Patel Chest Institute.  In addition to these, five private laboratories also have the testing  facilities. 

Doctors suggest that there should be no delay when symptoms such as high grade fever, respiratory problem, chest pain and blood in sputum are shown and the patients must be taken to the hospitals well in time.

The vulnerable groups include diabetic patients, patients with chest and lung disease, pregnant women and young children.

 Availability of Tamiflu medicines at all centers is also being ensured, Walia said. The government has advised people to maintain oral and personal hygiene, wash hands with soap or use sanitiser before eating.

The health minister also directed the officials to launch public awareness campaigns publicising  the prevention and manage of H1N1.
Next Story
Share it