Mangaluru: Medical shops aiding in detecting SARI cases

Mangalore: Information from medical shops is helping the Department of Health and Family Welfare in detecting cases of SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) amongst those with no travel history.

It is mandatory for medical shops to upload essential information, such as name, address, and mobile number, of those who purchase cold, cough, flu, and respiration-related ailments medications. This information is provided to local health workers who can then call or go to the home of the purchasers to inquire.

Medical shops have been ordered not to give any medicines related to cold, cough, fever and respiratory disorders without prescription. If the medicines are given without prescriptions, the Department should be informed. An app has been developed for this purpose.

ASHA workers went to the houses of some people who had bought medicine for allergies and coughs and had recorded about their health. In some instances, inquiries were conducted through phone calls.

In Dakshina Kannada district, about 2,000 flu, cold and cough cases are uploaded every day. Notices have been sent to many medical shops who have not uploaded customer information. If necessary, appropriate action will be taken, said Shankaranayak, Assistant District Drug Controller of Dakshina Kannada district.