Mohindra directs all civil surgeons to flue corner in hospitals

Lifestyle, Health

Chandigarh: In a bid to control the mortality and morbidity from H1N1 (Swine Flu) , the State Government has directed all the Civil Surgeons to establish ‘Flu corners’ in Government Hospitals in the State so that patients having cough, cold and fever would immediately report at this dedicated place.

Disclosing this here today, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Brahm Mohindra, said that in the last few days, some suspected cases of Influenza A H1N1 have been reported in the summer months which is not normal and usual trend. 

In 2017, 278 suspected cases of Swine Flu have been reported and out of these 75 cases have been found positive for Swine Flu. Out of these confirmed cases, 15 patients have died. He said that cause of deaths of these patients will be ascertained after reviewing the medical records by experts of the department in consultation of PGIMER. 

It was informed that the patients indulge in self medication and do not report to hospitals well in time due to this the chances of complications increase.            

Mohindra said that keeping the view, the Department has identified 277 isolation beds in Government Medical Colleges, District and Sub divisional hospitals and 268 beds have been identified in private hospitals as well. 

He said that a designated Nodal officer would be deputed to assure the immediate health facilities to the suspected patient of swine flu in all districts and the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are already established for quick action in all districts.

He said that ‘Swine Flu’ is a droplet infection in which the virus spreads from one person to another after sneezing, coughing or using soiled handkerchiefs and other articles. 

The infection spreads from one person to other if personal protection is not used by the patient and patient sneezes or coughs in open. The persons who are adults and more than the age of 65 years, children less than 5 years, pregnant women, patients on immunosuppressants etc. have higher chances of getting effected with swine flu.

Divulging more he said that whenever a case of Swine Flu is reported in the State, drugs are provided free of cost to the patient as well as the contacts of the patient. Team of the department visits the area from which the patient belongs for screening of other cases. He said that tests and treatment are also being provided free of cost by the department.

The Health Minister said that the Virology Lab at PGI Chandigarh has been identified as nodal lab for the State. Samples of suspected patients would be collected and transported to PGI and samples can also be sent for testing to GMC Amritsar and GMC Patiala.

He said the all concerned officers must have to strictly follow guidelines regarding programme to control swine flu and laxity will not be tolerated at any level. All the guidelines regarding treatment, management of cases etc. have been forwarded to all the districts for management of any such condition emerging out of H1N1. 

Guidelines of clinical management, clinical prophylaxis, sample collection and sample transportation have been circulated among medical personnel of government and private setups for early detection, prevention and management of H1N1 cases.

The Health Minister advised the general public not to panic but get treated at earliest from a specialist either in government or private facility to prevent complications arising as an outcome of this disease.