K’taka to provide free swine flu treatment to poor patients

Source: http://www.topnews.in/k-taka-provide-free-swine-flu-treatment-poor-patients-2206062

Here’s a good news for those who are suffering or showing the symptoms of swine flu in Karnataka.

In a landmark decision, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday declared that all the private nursing homes and hospitals will offer free medical treatment to people with A (H1N1) influenza.

Confirming the development, Yeddyurappa said: “How can the poor afford such a costly treatment? Let us make it free for them.”

It should be noticed that the collection of throat swab costs around Rs 1000-1500.

The CM also gave his approval for securing ventilators in hospitals, if any such facility is lacking.

Speaking on the same occasion, State Health Minister B Sriramulu informed the media persons that 8 hospitals in Bangalore and one hospital in Belgaum had started working in lab facility set up for testing H1N1 virus.

Apart from this, the government is also trying its best to develop immunity for fighting against flu in streams like Unani medicine, ayurveda and homeopathy.

Meanwhile, 27 fresh swine flu cases were reported from the state (till Sunday afternoon), raising the total number of affected persons in the state to 317.

Steps being taken to contain A(HINI) in Belgaum

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/11/stories/2009081151620300.htm

Belgaum: In view of reports of deaths and spread of infection due to A(HINI) in Pune, the Health Department has started listing travellers arriving from Pune in Belgaum.

The department has deputed teams to bus stands and railway stations to list the names of all those arriving from Pune.

An official at the bus stand said a visitor to Pune could be infected by A(H1N1) virus if he came in contact with those infected. It takes about a week for the infected people to show symptoms. Thus, the department was listing all those who have recently visited and are returning to the city and to other parts of the district.

The district administration has convened a meeting of heads of all primary and high schools in the city at KLE Hospital at 11 a.m. on Tuesday to inform about symptoms of the infection and the steps to be taken by the infected person. This will be followed by a workshop at 2 p.m.