CM tells officials to immediately prevent Swine Flu
Hyderabad|India|June'2010: The Chief Minister Mr. K. Rosaiah urged
the Health Department officials to take all necessary steps to prevent
spread of the H1N1 Flu in the State, particularly in the GHMC and other
Municipal Corporation areas. The Chief Minister directed the officials to
procure enough medicines (tablets) and keep enough stocks in the city and
at all district headquarters. Dr Rosaiah reminded the officials about the
reports of few swine flu cases. The Chief Minister had brief discussion
with the Ministers Danam Nagender, Sudarshan Reddy, Principal Secretary,
Health, J Satyanarayana and Secretary, Health, Dr P V Ramesh in this
regard.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people not to panic over the situation.
The Government is taking every care to deal with the situation. More beds
will be set apart and ventilators will be added to the Government
hospitals. Private hospitals are also being requested to cooperate to deal
with the situation and asked not to drive away the patients. The Chief
Minister said more diagnostic centres are already opened and doctors are
asked to give prescription for the medicine. However the public are
requested not to consume the medicine without proper prescription by the
doctors since the medicine has side effects. The Chief Minister said that
everybody can protect themselves against this flu. This disease is fully
and definitely treatable if diagnosed early, we should be very careful
when the disease reaches advanced stages and proper precautions can stall
advancement.
The State Government is taking all precautions and is ready to respond to
any emergency. It has equipped all General Hospitals in District
Headquarters to offer proper medical advice and necessary treatment to
people infected with the disease. He said the Health Department is making
arrangements to provide free medications wherever and whenever required.
The Health Department said that persons exhibiting H1N1 symptoms must take
the following precautions to prevent its spread to people around them.
They should cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or a handkerchief
when you cough or sneeze; restrict movement in public places and try
staying home in isolated room and avoid spitting or sneezing in public
place. The Department said if infected by swine flu, try staying home in
an isolated room and avoid contact with others to protect them catching
the infection and avoid travel. They should take medical advice from the
nearest health centre. If severe fever persists for over 24 hours, consult
a doctor and take proper medication.
The Chief Minister said awareness drive has been undertaken on a big scale
by the government through print and electronic media along with
discussions and hoardings etc. The Public are also informed that simple
use of mask is not enough, personal hygiene and clean surroundings are
also equally a must and important.
The Chief Minister reiterated his appeal to the media particularly the
electronic media to create awareness among the people and to initiate
discussion and debate on Swine Flu in their respective channels so that
people can clear their doubts with expert doctors. He asked the Health
Department to see that more screening centres are opened. He assured that
the Government will take all steps to control the spread of the disease at
any cost and alerted all officials and departments in this regard. He said
he is in constantly touch with the officials concerned. Meanwhile a
meeting was organised with 27 private hospitals by the Health Department
today.
The Chief Minister was explained that the situation of H1N1 Influenza is
absolutely under the control. The Private hospital representatives were
also requested to identify isolation beds in their hospitals as a
preparedness plan in case of increased admissions. The hospital
representatives have also been informed that the Institute of Preventive
Medicine has been identified as the state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory
for confirmation of H1N1 influenza. The Heath Department requested the
people not to panic as the Government has taken adequate measures to
address the H1N1cases which are currently occurring only as sporadic
cases.
Meanwhile all the measures that need to be taken for the control of
Malaria are also being taken by the department. Each habitation in the
Tribal Areas has a specific field staff nominated to implement the pin
point programme to control malaria especially in the tribal areas.
Similarly surveillance for malaria is being done in all the slums of urban
areas. Deaths due to malaria are also nil this year due to improved case
management.
The Department also said that as the mosquito causing dengue breeds
indoor, most of the preventive measures for the control of Dengue are to
be taken up at the household level, hence, the citizens are requested to
ensure that there are no stagnant water collections in their houses.. The
department of Health is prepared for management of cases whenever they
occur. Public are requested to call 104 for any further health related
queries.
-June''
2010
