Health dept slammed for H1N1 spread

As swine flu cases are drastically increasing in the city and state, corporators are blaming the civic health department, saying that they are not distributing the masks amongst the citizens which is the first basic step to prevent the spread of the disease. A health official said that circulars are being distributed to hospitals and healthcare centres to provode patients with masks.

The corporators said that health department is llagging behind in controlling the spread of vector-borne ailments in the city. “It is essential to identify the symptoms of the disease and start treatment immediately,” said Dr Saeeda Khan, corporator of National Congress Party.

Health officials said that it is the responsibility of the medical institution to distribute masks amongst citizens. They have also started with various awareness campaigns in the city. “We are following the protocols,” said Dr Mini Kheterpal, Head of civic Epidemiology Department.

Kamlesh Yadav, corporator of Bharatiya Janata Party whose family was infected with swine flu said that civic health department is not taking any efforts to tackle this menace. “They have miserably failed in spreading awareness,” added Yadav.

The health official said that they had conducted a rapid door-to-door survey to identify the cases of influenza-like illness. “A total of 2,230 houses and 9,760 people in the city were scrutinized to check whether anyone is showing the symptoms of swine flu. More than 15 patients were detected with influenza-like illness who further send for the medical treatment in nearby hospitals,” added Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer.