Health Minister Dr. Walia today directed the 17 Government and 5 private hospitals identified for isolation care and treatment facility for H1N1 cases to gear up for timely management and treatment of these cases. He instructed that these hospitals must also have arrangement for Intensive Care Facilities.
He was reviewing the situation with regard to H1N1 in view of the recent spurt of these cases. The meeting was attended by Secretary (Health), Director (Health Services), and senior officers from National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Medical Superintendents of concerned Government and private hospitals. During January and February this year 60 cases of H1N1 have been reported.
Health Minister directed all the hospitals to have Nodal Officer for H1N1 cases so that the patients receive immediate attention and co-ordinated care.
Dr. Walia informed that 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 these facilities.
The Health Minister advised public that the H1N1 is completely manageable and curable provided adequate precaution and timely treatment is taken. He advised that symptoms such as high grade fever, respiratory problem, chest pain and blood in sputum must be reported to the hospitals well in time. He said that the symptoms must be reported within first 48 hours.
In case of delay the complications involving multi-organ develop. The vulnerable groups include diabetic patients, patients with chest and lung disease, pregnant women and young children. He said that there is no need for panic as the hospitals are well prepared for treatment. The medicines are also available in sufficient quantity.
Dr. Walia said that total 17 government hospitals have been identified for treatment of H1N1and so there is no need to panic.
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