Jammu,August 13 (Vijay Kumar) – J&K Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma on Thursday in Jammu apprised that the Health Department has prepared an action plan to take care of cases suffering from Swine Flu besides Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have also been constituted at divisional level.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu this evening, Mr Sham informed that the government is setting up screening/isolation centres both at Srinagar and Jammu. Jammu Screening centre would be established at Yatri Bhawan, Bhagwati Nagar while a non functional maternity home at Sannat Nagar would be used as Isolation centre at Srinagar. The facilities for screening the suspected patents, collection of samples for testing of H1N1, isolation of the patients and their treatment will be carried out at these centres. Only very sick patients requiring intensive monitoring will be shifted to Medical Colleges besides the surveillance centres would be functional round the clock. However, samples’ collection timing shall be between 9.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
While assuring that the state administration is fully geared up to tackle the Swine Flu pandemic as sufficient stock of medicines and testing equipments available, he appealed to the public not to panic as the disease is fully curable. He assured the situation is not so alarming and appropriate measures would be taken accordingly to tackle the situation if it deteriorates further.
The Minister asserted that surveillance teams comprising of doctors and paramedicos have been deployed at the airports at Jammu, Srinagar and Leh and RRT’s are being deployed at Railway Stations, Jammu for active surveillance. The district hospitals have also been put on high alert and to create awareness amongst general masses, doctors, a number of activities are being carried out which mainly include training programmes, distribution of information brochures containing do’s and don’t’s, sign and symptoms of the disease.
It was informed that till date 22 samples of Swine Flu suspects have been collected in Government Medical College, Jammu including one sample of a child from SMGS Hospital, Jammu, out of which one sample so far has been detected positive. The latest consignment of medicines, Triple Layer Masks, testing kits has also been received.
For strengthening surveillance and testing facilities for pilgrims particularly at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Sham Lal said that the matter has been taken up with Shrine Board Authorities and every possible assistance would be provided to them on priority basis. He said team have also been constituted to monitor the symptoms if any in educational institutions. During morning assembly, the students and staff members would be educated regarding symptoms and precautionary measures required for prevention of disease. Further Director Health, Kashmir and Jammu has been directed to apprise him on daily basis about the disease status in the state.
Seeking cooperation of media in creating awareness and educating public regarding the disease, the Minister appealed not to treat the disease as social stigma. He said there is no reason to panic because the disease has moderate symptoms, and of short duration and is curable also.
Earlier, the Minister convened a high level meeting with senior doctors of Government Medical College, Jammu and associated hospitals to discuss the measures and future course of action to deal with the disease.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. M. K. Dwivedi, Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr. Jasbir Singh, Director School Education, Jammu, Mrs. Zahida Khan, Director Tourism, Jammu, Mr. S. M. Sahni and Principal, GMC, Jammu, Dr. Rajinder Singh.