Bhopal: There is no need to panic due to swine flu. Adequate swine flu treatment facilities, doctors and medicines are available in the state. When a patient with symptoms of the disease is brought immediately to hospital, his condition improves within 3 days.
This was informed at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan here today. At the meeting, private hospitals were directed to follow treatment protocol. Chief Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa was also present on the occasion. The Chief Minister said that all necessary measures should be ensured for prevention, control and treatment of the disease and masses should be made aware.
Symptoms
Principal Secretary Shri Praveer Krishna informed that symptoms of swine flu include cold and cough with fever, throat infection, difficulty in breathing etc. A patient with these symptoms should be rushed to nearest district hospital. Early commencement of treatment leads to complete recovery. Examination and treatment of H1 N1 swine flu is done free in government hospitals. He informed that on detection of symptoms of swine flu in a patient, his samples are sent to Gwalior or Jabalpur for testing of H1 N1. Report is received within 24 hours. At present, about 50 samples are being sent for testing daily. Patients of this disease, have also been found in 10-12 other states. Union Ministry of Health had undertaken a survey regarding prevention and treatment of swine flu in various states and had expressed satisfaction over efforts being made in this regard in Madhya Pradesh. It was informed that viruses of this disease will die out on onset of summer. There is no epidemic-like situation in Madhya Pradesh.
Treatment and prevention
Temiflu tablet is to treat swine flu patients. This medicine is available in adequate quantity in all district hospitals of the state. Isolated wards for swine flu patients have been created in government hospitals. Some precautions should be taken after detection of symptoms of swine flu. Patients should cover their mouth while coughing with handkerchief or towel. He or she should wash hands with soap before touching eyes, nose and mouth. People should avoid handshake and embracing patient and crowded places. Attention should be paid to cleaning of house. Patients with ordinary symptoms should rest at home. Children suffering from cold and cough should not be sent to schools. To top it all, treatment should be started immediately. It becomes difficult due to delay.
Treatment facility at Bhopal
It was informed that facility to admit and treat swine flu patients is available at Bhopal’s J.P. Hospital, all 4 Gas Relief Hospitals, Katju Hospital and government hospital at Bairagarh. Facility to test and treat swine flue is also available at Medical College hospital.
It was informed that facility to test swine flu and its medicines are available in only government hospitals. Therefore, one should directly reach a government hospital for treatment of swine flu instead of any other place without wasting time and money. Some private hospitals refer a swine flu patient to government hospital when his condition there deteriorates. Action will be taken to cancel registration of such private hospitals.
The meeting was informed that swine flu is a virus found in birds and pigs. Mixture of these viruses creates a new virus which enters human body. It was also informed that training to treat the diseases is also being imparted to doctors of private hospitals. Health Commissioner Shri Pankaj Agrawal was also present on the occasion.
