: Four private hospitals in West Bengal were issued show cause notices on Monday for releasing swine flu patients without treatment, an official of State Health Department said.
“While three of the hospitals are located in the city, one is situated in the suburbs. The hospitals had allegedly discharged patients on learning that they were infected with the H1N1 virus although they were not fit. We have initiated an investigation,” State Health Secretary Moloy De said.
With private hospitals refusing treatment to swine flu patients, the pressure is on government facilities, in particular the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases.
Most of the adult patients infected with the virus are flocking to this health facility, while children are being treated at B C Roy Memorial Children’s Hospital.
One more person died of swine flu on Saturday night in West Bengal, bringing the death toll to five, Mr. De said.
Two more cases were reported from the State, bringing the total number of cases to 69.
Till the start of the month, 39 patients have been treated and released.
