Dist hospitals to work 24x7
H1N1 cases number 1701, dengue cases 1294 and chikungunya 927
In the wake of increase in the number of H1N1, chikungunya and dengue cases across the State, all government district hospitals have been directed to provide service round-the-clock and stock sufficient quantity of medicines.
Addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Friday, Health Minister B Sriramulu said the distrit hospitals had also been directed to keep day-long availability of medical professionals to cater to patients.
He said district health officers and district surgeons will be held responsible for deaths owing to H1N1 and dengue cases in their jurisdiction. The minister said the government has taken sufficient precautionary and preventive measures including launching an awareness on mosquito control - the vectors which carry dengue and chikungunya virus. All hospitals have been supplied sufficient stocks of Tamiflu tablets.
From January till August this year, 1,701 HIN1 cases have been confirmed in the State and the death toll has reached 95. As many as 927 chikungunya cases have been confirmed including 143 in Bangalore alone, Sriramulu said.
One death due to dengue has been registered, while the cumulative number of dengue attack cases stood at 1,294. The Minister said all private hospitals have been directed to conduct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) test instead of rapid test on dengue suspect cases and send the blood samples to either National Institute of Virology, Nimhans, Victoria Hospital or Public Health Institute (PHI).
He said there was no dearth in the availability of platelet in blood banks. If required, the government would also with assistance of NGOs organise blood donation camps to meet any rising demand.
Health Commissioner D N Nayak said all urban local bodies and panchayat had been instructed to launch anti-dengue campaign, incluidng creating awareness among the masses to cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquito-breeding. He said H1N1 screening at airports had been discontinued as the virus had already entered the community.
Ill-health card
