3 swine flu patients ‘missing’ from Gandhi Hospital

December 18, 2014 10:56 pm | Updated November 17, 2021 05:55 am IST - HYDERABAD:

While Health Minister T. Rajaiah on Thursday asserted that there was no need to panic in the backdrop of three swine flu deaths and that the disease was ‘under control’, Gandhi Hospital authorities made a startling disclosure.

Two Swine Flu patients - Syed Sana Kouser and Kouser Firdaus, residents of Saidabad and Yakuthpura, ‘Left against medical advice’ in November. Another patient Jahangir, a resident of B. S. Maktha was marked ‘absconding’ since December 15.

Though senior doctors revealed it, Dr. Rajaiah denied and said no patients had left without treatment at a press conference in the hospital during his visit. He also blamed Wednesday’s deaths for ‘lack of awareness’ among people.

Confidently stating that Gandhi Hospital was capable of treating swine flu cases, Dr. Rajaiah mentioned cases should be brought at an early stage. “In the three deaths, the patients were brought here in advanced stages,” he said.

“Among them, one was of a woman who had given birth 35 days ago and had died after contracting bilateral pneumonia. Another person Srinivas was treated in private hospitals before being brought to Gandhi Hospital with multiple organ failure,” he pointed out.

The Minister said there was sufficient stock of 13,200 capsules and 210 syrups which can be given to people suspected of being infected with the virus as a precaution. So far, 13 in city and 60 people in TS have been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus and four deaths were recorded.

Isolation was very important in the case of swine flu patients, and symptomatic treatment should be administered to them. “We will also conduct tests to ascertain the infection among suspected cases and collect their nose and throat swabs. The results will then be sent to the District Medical Health Officer (DMOH),” he explained.

“We will talk to the Chief Minister about setting up an isolation ward at Fever Hospital, which is the centre where all fevers are treated,” Mr. Rajaiah said. When asked whether family members of swine flu patients would also be screened, senior doctors said medical officers in all districts were checking on them.

Ebola screening

All foreigners arriving at the Rajiv Gandhi International airport were being checked for fever or any symptoms of Ebola, said Dr. Rajaiah. “If any one is detected with fever or any symptoms, then he will be sent for treatment,” he added.

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