Sharjah, August 24: The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research are planning to launch an H1N1 preparedness strategy even as college and university administrations sought to allay fears over the virus ahead of the reopening of institutions in a few days.
“There will also be a joint team from both the ministries to focus on institutes for higher educational programmes,” said a member of the Technical Health Committee for Combating Swine Flu.
The Ministry of Health has already assigned a senior official to coordinate with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to chalk out an awareness plan and training programmes for students and staff, said the official, who did not want to be named.
The University of Sharjah has been screening the students and teachers everyday since its reopening after the summer break, but will now do so only in suspected cases.
“We will end the screening process tomorrow. In our meeting with the Ministry of Health we were told there was no need to screen students and staff and we just need to follow up on suspected cases. We have a team that will be monitoring the students’ health and suspected cases will be isolated and referred to the hospital,” said Dr Mohammad Abdul Monem, head of the medical department at the university.
A professor, who was isolated after a screening at the university and referred to Al Qasimi Hospital, was found negative after tests. The American University of Sharjah began its academic year on Sunday and students said the atmosphere on the campus was like any other back-to-university day.
“There is no worry among us despite the fact everyone is back from a vacation in countries that have been affected. We received emails from the university on measures we need to take but there is no such panic on the campus,” said Amina Ali Muhairi, a student.
The university has designated a room in each dormitory for students suspected to have swine flu. University officials said it will not screen students and staff.
The American University in Dubai had earlier said that screening of students was unnecessary since people travelling via the international airports will have gone through temperature screening.
The Ministry of Health, in association with the Ministry of Education, had already formulated an H1N1 preparedness plan for the schools in the country. The rollout of the plan, which includes an awareness campaign targeting students, parents and teachers, is expected to take place by mid-week, according to another official from the health ministry.
Similar methods are likely to be adopted for older students in colleges and universities, too. “I think the awareness programme among senior students will be an easier task since most of them are usually updated about things happening around,” the official added.
–Agencies