Now that the drug for swineflu “available”, over the counter, it will be used by the gullible public (due to hyper media coverage) as a preventive measure is not desirable. Cases of resistance of the virus to the drug have come to light in some countries. The irrational use can be detrimental to health due to many of its side effects. Black marketing will soon flourish in a country like India and the needy poor will not be able to get the drug.
Over the counter sale of Tamiflu should be discouraged and the government should make it available only to the hospitals recognized for treating the disease.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Swine flu update – India
Laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 as officially reported to WHO by countries as of 6 August 2009 are: 177457, and 1462 fatalities. News from Europe indicate that the fatality is just 0.1% of the positive cases reported. It is 0.6% in US. In India, the nationwide toll rose to 22 and 14 out of the 22 H1N1 deaths have occurred in Pune.
In Mumbai, testing of throat swabs for the swine flu is becoming more and more difficult. The premier Haffkine Institute could test only 264 out of 1800 samples received from the 13 testing centers in Mumbai. Infrastructure for managing the situation found to be grossly inadequate. Ground reality at the hospitals is not satisfactory. Patients were seen waiting for hours at the municipal hospitals.
Politicians started blaming each other for the lapses. Prime Minister discussed the swine flu issue in the cabinet and he is asking people not to panic. Mumbai’s list of private hospitals that can treat the flu patients is being announced. Five hospitals in Pune are likely to be recognized. Precautionary measures include avoiding crowded places and maintaining good personal hygiene. In Navi Mumbai, most of the schools, the malls and the theatres are closed for 4 days.
In Mumbai, testing of throat swabs for the swine flu is becoming more and more difficult. The premier Haffkine Institute could test only 264 out of 1800 samples received from the 13 testing centers in Mumbai. Infrastructure for managing the situation found to be grossly inadequate. Ground reality at the hospitals is not satisfactory. Patients were seen waiting for hours at the municipal hospitals.
Politicians started blaming each other for the lapses. Prime Minister discussed the swine flu issue in the cabinet and he is asking people not to panic. Mumbai’s list of private hospitals that can treat the flu patients is being announced. Five hospitals in Pune are likely to be recognized. Precautionary measures include avoiding crowded places and maintaining good personal hygiene. In Navi Mumbai, most of the schools, the malls and the theatres are closed for 4 days.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Swine flu update – India
In its briefing on August 6, WHO assured that regulatory procedures are in place for the licensing of the pandemic (H1N1) vaccines. Vaccines are among the most important medical interventions for reducing illness and deaths during a pandemic. Right now, there is a great need to have the vaccine quickly produced and in large quantities. As such, there is no effective vaccine available for mass vaccination programs. A lot of research is going on in India also to develop a safe vaccine.
Indian Health Minister is not giving any assurance of the Government’s preparedness to tackle this problem. In fact, he admitted that no measure could prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza in India and that nearly one-third of the population could be infected with the virus over the next two years! As per one of the press report, the Indian tally is: 959 infected, Mumbai-95, Pune-220 and Rest of India-644. Death toll rises to 8.
This only leaves the common man to fend for himself on this issue and take all the precautions so that he is not getting infected. Disposable masks may be too expensive and may not be necessary also. People can use a clean handkerchief over their nose and mouth. Avoid crowded places and in case of cold and cough contact the family physician for treatment. DO NOT PANIC.
Indian Health Minister is not giving any assurance of the Government’s preparedness to tackle this problem. In fact, he admitted that no measure could prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza in India and that nearly one-third of the population could be infected with the virus over the next two years! As per one of the press report, the Indian tally is: 959 infected, Mumbai-95, Pune-220 and Rest of India-644. Death toll rises to 8.
This only leaves the common man to fend for himself on this issue and take all the precautions so that he is not getting infected. Disposable masks may be too expensive and may not be necessary also. People can use a clean handkerchief over their nose and mouth. Avoid crowded places and in case of cold and cough contact the family physician for treatment. DO NOT PANIC.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Swine flu update – India
As per the update of WHO, as of 31 of July 2009, 168 countries and overseas territories/communities have reported a cumulative total of 162380 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 09. All continents are affected by the pandemic (The alert level is phase 6). There were 1154 deaths.
In India as per the reports appeared, the highly infectious disease claimed two lives, one in Mumbai and another in Pune. Schools in Pune and Mumbai are being closed as a precautionary measure. The assurances of readiness given earlier by the Health Ministry seem to be premature and as it looks, the preparedness is grossly inadequate. Time is the critical factor. The Centre has sent one lakh Tamilfu pills to the state of Maharashtra. The tally is: 784 positive cases in India, 45 cases in Mumbai.
Advice given in the media is: If you have symptoms of flu, do not panic. Avoid contact with people and call your doctor for a rapid flu test. If situation worsens, contact swine flu screening centers. Wear a mask of N-95 type, available in chemist shops.
Urgent need of more sample collection centers, screening centers and isolation wards in hospitals is felt in cities. India has a law which is 112-year old Epidemic Diseases Act (1897). The law does not provide for the new diseases like HIV and Swine flu and it needs to be replaced. To face the present crisis, may be, the government should rope-in private hospitals and clinics for support in terms of sample collection and testing.
In India as per the reports appeared, the highly infectious disease claimed two lives, one in Mumbai and another in Pune. Schools in Pune and Mumbai are being closed as a precautionary measure. The assurances of readiness given earlier by the Health Ministry seem to be premature and as it looks, the preparedness is grossly inadequate. Time is the critical factor. The Centre has sent one lakh Tamilfu pills to the state of Maharashtra. The tally is: 784 positive cases in India, 45 cases in Mumbai.
Advice given in the media is: If you have symptoms of flu, do not panic. Avoid contact with people and call your doctor for a rapid flu test. If situation worsens, contact swine flu screening centers. Wear a mask of N-95 type, available in chemist shops.
Urgent need of more sample collection centers, screening centers and isolation wards in hospitals is felt in cities. India has a law which is 112-year old Epidemic Diseases Act (1897). The law does not provide for the new diseases like HIV and Swine flu and it needs to be replaced. To face the present crisis, may be, the government should rope-in private hospitals and clinics for support in terms of sample collection and testing.
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