Situation due to Swine Flu is under control: KCR

Describing the situation as completely under control, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday announced that the State Government would take steps on war footing basis to tackle Swine Flu in the State.

Addressing a press conference after chairing the emergency meeting of State Cabinet at the State Secretariat here, the Chief Minister said that the entire health administration has been put on alert and the Swine Flu cases would be monitored on hourly basis. He said presently seven States including Andhra Pradesh is affected due to H1N1 virus. He advised the people with high fever, running nose or cough or other symptoms to approach a nearby government hospital as they are better equipped to handle cases of Swine Flu. He said that presently nearly 16,000 tablets of Tamiflu and other medicines are available with the government. The Central Government too is sending a fresh stock of more medicines to Hyderabad along with a Central Team to review the situation.

The Chief Minister said that all the major public hospitals have been asked to create isolated wards for the treatment of Swine Flu cases. Similarly, the corporate hospitals' cooperation has been sought in fighting the H1N1 virus. He also announced that treatment of Swine Flu would be covered under Aarogyasri scheme.

KCR said that Swine Flu was not a disease and it is a virus that spreads from person to person. Admitting some lapses by the health authorities, he assured that from today onwards an integrated approach would be adopted to control the spread of Swine Flu. He said all hospitals, from PHCs to corporate sector, are ready to fight the H1N1 virus. He said all DMHOs have been asked to keep 108 vehicles ready to transport patients suffering from Swine Flu to the government hospitals at free of cost. "From today onwards, things will be alright. There will be continuous monitoring on district basis and every day, the Health Department officials will apprise the Chief Secretary about the latest situation," he said.

The Chief Minister strongly defended his deputy and health minister Dr T Rajaiah on denial of Swine Flu cases. He said that the Deputy CM was stating what was being conveyed to him. He said not all deaths reported in various hospitals were due to Swine Flu and there were several other factors.

KCR confirmed 19 deaths due to Swine Flu so far. However, he said not every patient who is coming to a hospital is affected with Swine Flu. He admitted that he was in panic when he learnt about five deaths due to Swine Flu on Tuesday. He said it was due to panic that he called up Union Health Minister and then the Prime Minister seeking their assistance. He said it was only after 3 PM today that he realised that Swine Flu was not an epidemic.

Earlier, the Chief Minister held a high-level review meeting with the ministers and senior officials and another meeting with the representatives of corporate hospitals on Swine Flu issue.