Take infections seriously, consult docs: Health minister to citizens

Maharashtra has been covered by a cloud of immense pollution, which has led to the outbreak of various illnesses. The Maharashtra health minister, Dr Deepak Sawant, issued a notification on Thursday, asking the citizens to pay more attention to their minor ailments.

“People suffering from cold, cough, throat infections and fever should not ignore these symptoms, thinking they are minor. Do not selfmedicate, instead visit a medical doctor,” reads the notification.

Sawant stated that the breeding of swine flu germs has increased since January and since then, 199 deaths have been reported. “If people do not get well within 24 hours of their visit to the doctor for initial medication, it is advised to consult the doctor and begin a course of Tamiflu tablets,” states the notification.

Maharashtra has a number of 16,000 suspected cases of swine flu, being currently treated in civic and private hospitals across the state. The committee set up by the government for epidemic control programme, held a meeting last week. It was suggested that there should be a uniform Standard Operating Procedures while dealing with swine flu patients on ventilators.

“Within the next two days the order for implementation of the SOP will be sent to all the civic and private hospitals. Accordingly, the hospital doctors will have to follow the guidelines and the course of treatment for all swine flu patients admitted to their hospitals,” stated the minister.

The government has received the death audit reports from private hospitals, regarding the number of patients died of swine flu. Sawant said these reports shockingly state there has been a delay in detection and treatment of swine flu. “The death audit reports of swine flu patients show first there was a delay in detection and then treatment. Second, the patients had initially had self-medicated and when there was no im[provement in their health, they approached private hospitals,” said the minister.

People suffering from cold, cough, throat infections and fever should not ignore these symptoms, thinking they are minor. Do not self-medicate, instead visit a medical doctor. —The notification