DC takes stock of swine flu arrangements

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 19

The deputy commissioner (DC) called an emergency meeting of health officials and Indian Medical Association (IMA) representatives at the Zila Parishad hall to take stock of the preparations being made to tackle swine flu on Saturday. He instruct the officials concerned to create awareness about the treatment facilities available at government health institutions.

Health officials informed the DC that isolation wards at district level and block level hospitals were ready to house swine flu patients. Though swine flu patients have been reported from several districts, no positive case has been reported here so far. Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur have reported one death each due to the disease.

Civil Surgeon Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai said the symptoms of swine flu included cough, difficulty in breathing, high fever and sour throat. “The infection is easily communicable and persons around an infected person should take ample precautions. Even suspected patients should cover their mouth while sneezing and should avoid shaking hands with others. Suspected patients are also advised not to visit crowded places, avoid spitting at public places and take precautions so that they may not end up spreading the disease,” he said.

Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjer from the IMA said even private hospitals could get the medicine required for treatment from the IMA free of cost. The test to diagnose the disease are conducted free of cost at the Government Medical College. “In case of a death of a swine flu patient, the body should be taken directly to the cremation ground and rituals should be completed in presence of least possible number of persons,” he added.