Jamshedpur : Swine Flu death in Jamshedpur have sent alarm bell ringing through the state health department. �
The state surveillance officer, Ramesh Prasad is expected to visit the city soon to review the situation.
�He was in the city on March 5 and directed the private and state-owned hospitals to take necessary precautions for isolation wards and ensure coordination with district IDSP units.
However, we admit that it is not possible to adhere totally to the stringent standard for isolation wards as required by Central government. But at least they should have the basic facilities for isolation wards.
I will be in the city soon to review stock of Tamiflu and masks� and also ensure special precautionary measures are being taken to safeguard health workers, nurses and doctors dealing with swine flu cases ,� an official.
Steel city has been put on swine flu alert after fresh cases of swine flu resurfaced in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
District surveillance officer Sahir Pall said that there is no need to worry and people should not panic. He said that the administration was, however, alert and if any more such case was reported it would be properly checked.
Sources at the district civil surgeon�s office revealed that Railway Hospital in Khasmahal, Tata Main Hospital, Tata Motors Hospital, Mercy Hospital and MGM Medical College and Hospital have been asked to keep isolation wards ready as a precautionary step.
�We have written letters to all the major health centres to keep ready isolation wards. We have decided to give five the personal protective equipments PPEs to Tinplate hospital.
We have sent letters to other hospitals like Tata Motors Hospital, Tata Main Hospital and even at Mercy Hospital to send their requirements of PPEs.
Stocks would also be kept ready for Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College and Hospital too,� said the official.
The health department has also provided the workers of MGM Medical College and Hospital and other health centres with other necessary instructions.
The officer for swine flu said that steps for prevention remain the same as always. People should wash their hands, cough into their sleeves and stay home if they get sick.
�But it is essential to remain aloof from one who has symptoms of flue. A room should be assigned where sick can take rest. The situation in city is much better and no suspect was traced today,� he conceded.
The East Singhbhum district health department is worried as with ongoing summer vacations and around 20,000 city based students pursuing higher education in various parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are returning homes for vacations and summer internship.
Apart from PPEs the surveillance office has also asked hospitals to give requisition for Tamiflu doses available in their stock.
�We are pulling up our socks in order to meet any emergency. Our staff are trained in using PPEs for collection of throat swabs. It is mandatory for doctors and para-medics to use PPEs while treating patients with H1N1 viral strain,� said the health official.
A doctor said that there is no need to worry and people should not panic. He said that the administration was, however, alert and if any such case was reported it would be properly checked.
The administration has also decided to increase the number of doctors at the hospital to ensure better screening of suspected patients.
The doctors have been asked to report immediately to the authorities if they found any suspected patient.