Swine Flu: Govt. taking all steps, no need for panic:CM

Hyderabad|India|September'2009: The Chief Minister K. Rosaiah made it clear that there is no let-up in the State Government’s efforts to prevent and control the H1N1 flu and that there is no need for any panic. Mr Rosaiah asked the officials to spare no efforts and see that the Swine Flu is contained and prevented and all steps be taken for early detection, and treatment of the disease. The Chief Minister held a detailed review meeting on the H1N1 flu at Secretariat with minister and officials.

The Chief Minister said that the officials should always be on the alert and take all measures to see that there is no let-up in the drive against the Swine Flu in the State. He said funds are not a problem as far as this is concerned and asked the Health department to re-appropriate funds if needed and ask for any additional funds as and when required. He said the checks at the Airport should continue and if needed gateway hospitals on the inter-State routes should be fortified and facilities made available for check-ups. He said awareness should be created among the people that early symptoms should be identified and immediate check-ups should be done to identify the Swine Flu. People should also be told that the disease is curable.

Since there are complaints that masks are in short supply, steps should be taken to see that masks in sufficient quantity be distributed to the doctors who are detecting and treating the patients. He also advised the Health Minister to call for a coordination meeting of the GHMC officials and Health Department officials to review the Health and hygienic conditions in the City, following heavy rains and water stagnation at many places and water logging in the low lying areas. He said immediate steps should be taken for fogging and spraying anti-larve in these areas.

The Chief Minister said additional ventilator-bed facilities should be created at Gandhi, Osmania, Warangal and Visakhapatnam Government hospitals for treatment of Swine Flu besides additional facilities at the Govt. Chest hospital. He was informed that tablets for the treatment of H1N1 flu are available in sufficient stocks and 10,000 tablets each has already been dispatched to each districts. More tablets are being procured as and when required. The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of creating awareness among the people through publicity drive that the Government is taking all steps required to contain the disease and that there is no need for panic and also detailing the steps to be taken by the public to identify, treat and prevent the Swine Flu.

It may be recalled here that the first positive case of H1N1 Influenza A in India has been reported on 16.5.2009 from overseas traveler who landed at Shamshabad. As a matter of fact from 30.4.2009 itself Government of Andhra Pradesh in coordination with Government of India, Ministry of Health and WHO guidelines has been screening passengers arriving at the International Airport, Shamshabad. So far 342972 passengers have been scanned at the International Airport by teams constituted from Teaching Hospitals and APVVP Hospitals with the support of their para medical staff.


This disease was only spread by virus carried by people who travelled abroad initially but now there are instances that the virus is being spread from community. In all 91 passengers who were suspected to be having symptoms of H1N1 have been advised to go for detailed medical check up. It is noticeable that due to good awareness created by the State Government through active support from Print and Electronic Media, more than 234 of the suspects came voluntarily to the designated nodal hospital viz., A.P.Chest Hospital at Erragadda, Hyderabad to undergo check-up and treatment. Total positive cases reported are 215 so far and 200 have been discharged and 11 are under treatment and in critical condition. There were 4 deaths.

At A.P.Chest Hospital, 14 isolated rooms and full fledged Intensive Care Unit have been created for tackling H1N1. All the suspected passengers are provided free transport to A.P.Chest Hospital from the International Airport through 108 EMRI vehicles owned by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The State Government has received 20400 “Fluvir” tablets from the Government of India. Adequate stock of this medicines has been sent to all District Hospitals.


In addition to AP Chest Hospital, at least 10 beds in each District Hospital have been kept ready for the purpose of quarantine. Hence adequate bed strength is provided in the State for this purpose. Whenever a suspected case is confirmed as H1N1 Positive, prophylactic dose of medicines are also given to passengers on that flight, three rows in the front and 3 rows in the rear to the seat occupied by the confirmed H1N1 patient. In Gandhi Hospital 10 beds with ventilator support are being created by 10.9.2009. Further 20 beds for isolation will also be arranged by that time.


In Osmania Hospital, 4 beds with ventilator facility and 10 beds with isolation facility will be ready by 10.9.2009. Chest Hospital, Visakhapatnam has beds with ventilator facility and further 10 beds can be arranged for isolation purposes. In Kondapur Area Hospital in R.R.District another 10 beds can be earmarked for isolation, in all 20 by now. In private hospitals, 26 beds are earmarked for purpose of H1N1 patients. There are no occupants for this. To improve the attention of private hospitals on treatment of H1n1 patients for all positive H1N1 cases, a reimbursement scheme is being considered.


The State Government released Rs.17.60 lakhs to A.P.Chest Hospital for making arrangements fit for H1N1 affected patients. For purpose of awareness, 104 HMRI and a Toll free Number sponsored by a donor organization “12506” s made available to the public. In addition, special sensitizing programmes are being undertaken to spread awareness among software companies where foreign travel is very common. So far 4 deaths have been confirmed due to H1N1.

Health Minister D Nagender, Chief Secretary, P Ramakantha Reddy, Principal Secretary, Health & Medical Services, J Satyanarayana, Principal Secretary, Health, L V Subramaniam and other officals attended the meeting.