Reposing more faith in private hospitals : The Swine Flu has landed
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: March 11, 2015 -
The Swine Flu has landed. Not surprising.
A look at the figures should tell a story of its own.
Nearly 1500 people have died in different parts of the country.
Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland have experienced H1N1, but what is worrying is the question of how well prepared is the State Government or the State Health Department to deal with the issue at hand.
So far no one has died but this is no reason to take things easy.
As expected, the State Health Department has kick started an awareness campaign and a look at the local newspapers should give an indication.
Awareness campaign also been launched on the All India Radio and local TV channels.
These are no doubt constructive steps and only expected of a Government, but the very fact that the lone afflicted person has been referred to a private run hospital tells a significant story, which is disturbing.
This is about Imphal but what would have happened if the afflicted person had come from a far flung place.
Not at all a comforting thought it is to face the reality that it should have been necessary for a person suffering from H1N1 to rush to a private run medical hospital.
This is where the hollowness of the campaign launched by the State Government rings out loud.
Not hard to guess why the patient had to rush to a private medical hospital.
Top this off the with people suspected to be suffering from Swine Flu opting for private medical centres and this says something important about how the State Government has been caught on the wrong foot.
No wonder that numerous top ranking Government officials and elected members deem it better to go to private hospitals when they or their family members are down with any ailment.
Obviously the concept of public health has flown over the consciousness of the Government.
Not that there are no competitive health care workers in the Government sector, but it is the manner in which they have been dispensing their duties that leaves a lot to be desired.
Swine Flu is a reality and a scare that has been knocking at the door for some time now. The Government and its agencies may say that there is no need to panic.
True, for panic is not known to have had any positive impact, but it would be so much better for the Government to study why there is so little public trust.
From the western door has come the scare of Swine Flu and if reports coming from the eastern neighbours are any indication then Bird Flu is yet another scare that may come any time in the near future.
This is on top of the possibility that a drug resistant malaria strain may come from the side of Myanmar soon.
The Government will definitely not be in a position to deal with all the public health issues that come, but the least it can do is to convey the message that it is serious.
And definitely referring Swine Flu patients or patient to a private health centre is not going to instil any faith in the Government.
Wonder if adequate steps have been taken up to screen incoming passengers at the Tulihal airport or at Jiribam, Mao gate or at Moreh, bordering Myanmar.
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