| H1N1 suspected children on god's mercy | | No isolated ward, Tamiflu syrup | | Nitesh Sangral
Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 26: Children are at higher risk for getting the H1N1 influenza virus but Jammu and Kashmir Health Department has failed to provide isolated wards and Tamilflu syrup to the `children of lesser god'. An allegation, severely contested by the department which says that enough Tamiflu medicine and isolated wards are available in SMGS hospital.
Senior doctor at SMGS hospital informed Early Times that government hospital Jammu is not ready to deal with swine flu cases of children due to non- availability of Tamiflu syrup.
"It's a serious subject as many children are visiting the government hospitals OPDs everyday with normal flu symptoms. Children are at higher risk for the flu because their immune systems are not fully developed. Children with chronic health conditions are at even higher risk of getting the flu and experiencing complications," he stated.
He also said, if the children cases would report in future, the doctors will have to prescribe Tamiflu syrup. Unfortunately the syrup isn't available anywhere in government/private hospital even not in the market.
Another doctor, who is treating patients in OPD at Gandhi Nagar hospital said around 20 children are visiting the hospital daily and till now, one has shown symptoms of deadly disease which means that children are not safe. "We should get ready to deal with the disease instead surrendered before it, "he added.
Director Health Services Jammu Dr Baljit Singh Patina said enough Tamiflu is available in the capsule as well as small capsule for children can be treated promptly, if need.
The isolated ward has been established in SMGS hospital.
Interestingly, Medical Superintendent of hospital contesting Director Health Service claims and said the isolated ward is in Col RN Chopra Nursing Home at Govt. Medical College and Hospital.
However, MO (PMS) Stores, Jammu, Dr Rajeshwar Sharma admitted that there was not available Tamiflu syrup but there has enough Tamiflu medicine which is handover to concerned hospital time to time. |
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