H1N1 claims seven lives in 20 days
According to health authorities, a majority of the victims have a travel history
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Delayed treatment and poor medical judgement by private hospitals are putting the life of swine flu patients at stake.
The H1N1 death toll is on the rise in the district and is setting off alarm bells ringing for health authorities.
The deadly swine flu has claimed seven lives in the past 20 days taking the death toll to 15 this year.
The District Medical Office (DMO) has decided to call a meeting of private practitioners in the district to sensitize them on the symptoms and treatment.
According to health authorities, a majority of the victims have a travel history. District Medical Office (Rural) P K Raju said that the DMO held discussions with the district collector and the meeting would be held next week.
“All these death cases occurred due to treatment delay. Most of the victims have visited other states especially Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. We border these states and hence more cases are being reported here. Government doctors are experts in dealing with swine flu cases while private doctors approach them as normal flu patients as the symptoms are similar,” said Mr Raju. He said that the approaching monsoon was likely to add to the woes.
“We are preparing calendars on the H1N1 ABC guidelines which will be placed in the consultation rooms of private hospitals so that they can prescribe the right medication. We will be able to control death cases if the medication is right, so identifying cases is the key,” he added.