To establish a uniform treatment protocol for H1N1, the State government has set up a core committee, headed by paediatric pulmonologist H. Paramesh.
Announcing this after a review of the pandemic with representatives from private hospitals in the State, including virologists and intensivists on Wednesday, Health Minister U.T. Khader told presspersons that the situation was gradually coming under control. “There is no need for people to panic,” he said.
He said the committee would submit the treatment protocol to the department by Thursday and the same would be circulated to all doctors. “This will help in better management of the disease,” he said. The Minister, who asserted there was no shortage of drugs, directed all private hospitals to place their individual orders with the State Drugs Controller. “He will, in turn, place a bulk order and procure stock from the companies. This will simplify the process of procurement,” he said.
Free vaccine for doctors
To ensure that doctors and other staff treating critical patients do not get infected, the government will provide free vaccination to them.