Swine flu scare: Docs in Shimla seek masks for safety
SHIMLA : With two more cases of Swine flu testing positive, in Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla on Tuesday, doctors have demanded from the administration to provide masks for their safety.
The patients have been kept in isolated wards and their treatment has begun.
After death of Dr RG Sood, who headed the radiology department of IGMC for six years, the staff is on alert. It is suspected that Sood came in contact with swine flu in the hospital.
Now, total 16 patients have tested positive for the flu this year in IGMC, besides two deaths.
“Two fresh cases have been reported in IGMC. Both (25-yearold Sunder Singh another 55-year-old Kaka Ram) were admitted for some other disease but tested positive for swine flu,” IGMC senior medical superintendent (SMS) Dr Ramesh Chand said. Notably, both of them belong to Sanjauli. Chan d added, “He said the hospital is taking all necessary steps while certain requirements for the staff have been demanded.
“There are certain demands that need to be fulfilled.” he said, adding, “We have issued an advisory to take preventive steps.”
He admitted that hospital staff is more susceptible to diseases like swine flu. Meanwhile, there are over 1,000 employees including doctors, working in IGMC where around 3,000 to 4,000 patients visit daily in the outpatient department (OPD) besides over 800 admitted patients.
“Doctors, nurses and staff spend come in direct contact with patients daily. After swine flu cases, ee have to take precautions,” Dr Rajesh Sood, a senior IGMC doctor said.
“The entire staff should be given safety kits containing N-24 masks as these masks are more protective than ordinary ones.
Also, nurses association president Madhumita Bisht said the administration should take all necessary steps to protect the staff from such diseases.
16 HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE FLU THIS YEAR AT THE INDIRA GANDHI MEDICAL COLLEGE IN SHIMLA