Swine Flu in Delhi: CM directs officials to take proactive steps

<p>New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has asked the Health Department to take proactive steps in order to control the further cases of swine flu in the Capital city. She has also asked the Department to augment facilities of isolation of patients in the hospitals. There is a need to bring general awareness on symptoms of the disease and launch a campaign to disseminate do’s &amp; don’ts across the city. Smt. Dikshit today chaired a high level meeting to review the present status of H1N1 and steps taken to contain the disease. </p>

<p>The meeting was attended by the Health Minister Dr. A.K. Walia, Chief Secretary Shri D.M. Spolia, Principal Secretary (Health) Sh. S.C.L. Das, Director, Emergency Medical Relief (EMR), Government of India, Dean (MAMC), MS’ of government hospitals, senior doctors from NCDC, private hospitals and other agencies concerned.</p>

<p>Dikshit also stated that H1N1 has been affecting Delhi for the last 4-5 years. The department must learn lessons from the past experience in order to sharpen its actions against outbreak of swine flu. She underlined the need of isolation of patients in the hospitals and asked the department to augment facilities of isolation. The Department has also been asked to launch a forceful campaign on media and in outdoor to enable general public to become aware on symptoms and precautions to be taken. The Department has also been directed to ensure the proper functioning of ventilators in the ICUs dedicated for H1N1 with all accessories.</p>

<p>Further, positive pressure ventilation needs to be ensured by all MS’ in the dedicated H1N1 wards. In case, more beds are required the number must be increased at the earliest. The dedicated Nodal Officers must remain on call 24x7. The dedicated staff posted in H1N1 Screening Centres in the hospital labs and private labs must be trained properly.</p>