Worried over the increasing number of A(H1N1) cases in the State, experts in the frontline of combating the disease now feel that general practitioners and doctors of all specialities should be sensitised on how to identify A(H1N1) symptoms in patients and provide them timely treatment.
The State Health Department conducted a meeting with representatives from private nursing homes in the city on Thursday to sensitise the doctors and create awareness about early detection of cases. Representatives from more than 75 nursing homes, apart from top health officials from the Health Department and BBMP and virologists, attended the meeting.
“The role of general practitioners is important now because treatment can be effective only if it is started on time. We have adequate stocks of Tamiflu, the only anti-viral drug for A(H1N1) and vaccines. But the medicines can be effective only if they are administered on time,” Chandrashekar Malagi, State Joint Director (Communicable diseases) told The Hindu after the meeting.
While 19 more cases tested positive for the disease on Thursday, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the State to 126, no more deaths have been reported. One death was reported in Davangere on Wednesday, taking the total toll to seven from January till date. Of the 19 new cases, 16 are from Bangalore. We are ready to handle the situation better now, Dr. Malagi said.
H. Paramesh, president of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes' Association (PHANA), said although the disease was under control compared to last year, the number of positive cases increased in the last one month.
“However, all these are sporadic cases and can be prevented only if the disease is detected early,” he added.
