Free check-up and testing facilities for swine flu, double stock of medicines and capping the cost at Rs. 4,500 for testing in private laboratories – were among the slew of measures announced by the Delhi Government to counter and contain the rising number of H1N1 cases in the Capital on Wednesday.
The city has reported 102 new cases on Wednesday taking the total number of cases this season to 1,781. No death has been reported this week so far. The total death toll due to swine flu stands at six this year. Assuring the city that there is no need for panic, Health Minister Satendar Jain said: “The situation is under control and the government is taking all measures to ensure that fast and reliable testing and treatment is available to all.”
The State health department have issued instruction to all private laboratories not to charge more than Rs. 4,500 for swine flu test. “If any lab is found overcharging action will be taken against them. Also the Delhi Government has designated 13 government nodal hospitals to take care of swine flu patients,’’ Mr. Jain said.
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Assuring that there was enough stock of medicines, he said: “medicine to treat swine flu is available in designated government hospitals.” The State government has also started a new testing facility at All India Institute of Medical Sciences and a round the clock monitoring cell is also operational at the National Centre for Disease Control.
Meanwhile the Union Health Ministry reassured that there was “no shortage of drugs”, and added that it was “closely monitoring the situation.” Union Health and Family Welfare secretary, B. P. Sharma, held a meeting with health officials and representatives of government hospitals on Wednesday to review the situation.
Health officials also visited the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital to check the level of preparedness.
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