Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur today said that the state government was fully prepared and all necessary arrangements had been made to deal with the cases of swine flu in the State.
In a meeting of health department to review the steps being taken to deal with the cases of swine flu in the state, Kaul Singh revealed that so far, 32 suspected H1N1 virus cases had been examined out of which five cases were found positive who had fully recovered after medical treatment.
With a view to detect the symptoms of swine flu and obtain immediate report, one more machine would be set up soon in Indira Gandhi Medical college and hospital Shimla, he said adding that the directions had also been passed to ensure proper functioning of the testing machine set up at Dr. Rajindra Prasad Medical College, Tanda. He said necessary directions had already been given to all heath institutions to provide treatment and medical aid to the patients suspected of swine flu symptoms.
The Health Minister said special arrangements had been made at all prominent religious places in the state like Shri Naina Devi ji, Chintpurni, Jwalaji, Brijeshwari Devi and Baba Balak Nath temple, which were visited by pilgrims from various states in a large number. He said that health institutes in these areas were working round the clock and doctors had been asked to keep vigil on suspected cases.
Underlining the need for starting a special awareness campaign to educate the masses about the care and prevention from swine flu, he said hoardings would be installed at all major places carrying the message of adopting precautionary measures besides publicizing these through electronic and print media. He appealed the people to consult the doctors in case of such symptoms.
Thakur said all Chief Medical Officers and Block Medical Officers had been asked to convene meetings with government and private doctors in their respective areas and also to review the arrangements from time to time. Besides Asha workers, male and female health workers and representatives of panchayati raj institutions would also be sensitized about symptoms and preventive measures for swine flu and they would further create awareness amongst people in their respective areas about swine flu.
He also took stock of the situation of few jaundice cases reported at Taradevi area in Shimla and gave necessary directions to the concerned officers. He directed Irrigation & Public Health department to ensure regular water testing and chlorination of all water bodies.
Additional Chief Secretary P.C. Dhiman, Managing Director National Rural Health Mission Hans Raj and other senior officers of the health department were present on the occasion.
