Hyderabad, June 27: Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Saturday directed Health Department officials to procure enough medicines and keep enough stocks in the city and at all district headquarters to check the spread of the dreaded Swine Flu in the state.
Reminding the officials of the reports of resurgence of H1N1 in the state, Mr Rosaiah urged the officials to take all necessary steps to prevent the disease from turning into an epidemic.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people not to panic over the situation. He said that the government was 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 centers 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. He 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 was taking all precautions and was 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.
——-Agencies