Open a special ward to treat H1N1 patients: UTK to Wenlock Hospital

Mangaluru: In wake of HINI cases being reported in the district, the district-in-charge Minister U T Khader has directed the district health officer (DHO) to ensure sufficient stock of medicines to treat H1N1 patients at primary health centres and taluk hospitals in the district. He also directed the District Government Wenlock Hospital to open a special ward to treat H1N1 patients.

Speaking at a meeting here Mr Khader said that treatment for suspected H1N1 cases should be started immediately without waiting for the results of H1N1 tests.

56 H1N1 cases in the district

DHO Dr Ramakrishna Rao informed that 56 persons had been tested positive for H1N1 in Dakshina Kannada district, including 43 in Mangaluru taluk, 7 in Bantwal, 2 in Puttur, and 4 in Belthangady. A total of 484 samples were tested for H1N1 in the district. Out of 56 cases, 46 patients have been cured and five are undergoing treatment, he said.

An officials from the health department said that the H1N1 cases were sporadic in the district. Surveillance was conducted soon after H1N1 cases were tested positive in the district, he added.

Mr Khader said that the people should not panic. They should take precautionary measures to protect themselves from getting infected with the H1N1 disease.

To ensure that the H1N1 infection does not spread to others, the minister directed the district administration to take measures to set up a separate ward to treat H1N1 patients at Wenlock Hospital.

Fever clinic has been set up

The Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada Sasikanth Senthil said that a fever clinic has been set up at Wenlock Hospital. If a patient with a fever visits the clinic, then he will be assessed for all kinds of fever.

The minister directed the DHO to take measures to install dialysis machines at Ullal, Uppinangady and Kadaba government hospitals.

Endosulfan victims

During the meeting, the DHO informed that the Government Assurance Committee of the Karnataka Legislative Council will visit endosulfan victims’ daycare centres at Kokkada and Koila on November 14. The endosulfan victims have been demanding an increase the monthly honorarium, he said.

In response, M Khader directed the district administration to write to the government on the issue.