Journalism of Courage
Still coming to terms with the first swine flu death in the country,the UT Health department is gearing up its activities to tackle H1N1 cases in Chandigarh.
A preparedness review meeting on swine flu was held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Medical Superintendent,GMSH-16,Chandigarh.
The strategy to implement the revised guidelines for testing persons with reported flu-like symptoms at the hospital for the H1N1 influenza,were discussed during the meet.
The revised guidelines issued by the Centre were also discussed in detail with those in-charge of isolation wards at various hospitals.
According to the new plan,in case the patient opts for home isolation and treatment,he/she would be provided with detailed safety measures to be strictly adhered to,by the entire household of the patient.
He/ she would have to provide full contact details of his entire family.
The household and social contacts would also be provided with preventive treatment. These guidelines,however,will be implemented strictly as per the decision of the doctor.
So far,as many as 43 suspected cases of swine flu have been reported in city hospitals.
Out of these,six have been confirmed positive by the NICD Laboratory in New Delhi.
All the six patients were treated in isolation wards by trained doctors and have been discharged.
The UT Health department has already constituted three isolation wards in PGIMER-12,GMCH-32 and GMSH-16 for admitting patients with flu-like symptoms.
The isolation wards in the three major hospitals are fully functional and equipped with trained medical and paramedical staff along with necessary items to treat the suspected and confirmed cases.
Sufficient stocks of anti-viral drugs including 2,000 capsules of Tamiflu and
100 bottles of syrup beside a large number of N-95
triple layered masks and PPE are available with the department.
In addition,the Regional Director,Health and Family Welfare,has also got sufficient stock of Tamiflu.
The department is maintaining a close liaison with the hospitals to keep track of the spread of the disease.
Samples of patients are collected and sent on the same day to NICD,Delhi,for examination.
Thus,the department claims to be fully equipped with the technical expertise as well as the stock of medicines and masks to tackle H1N1 cases in Chandigarh.
