Medicine was not available at govt hospitals: family of swine flu patient
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 10 2015: Managing Director of Shija Hospital and Research Institute Dr Kh Palin has announced that special concession on the treatment charge will be provided to the woman patient who is combating swine flu at the hospital.

He further stated that he will personally approach the state government on her behalf with a plea to provide assistance for her treatment.

The woman, who was confirmed infected with H1N1 virus on Friday last, is reported to be in a critical condition.

She was admitted at Shija Hospital after authorities of RIMS and JNIMS advised that she be moved to a more competent hospital for treating the infection, citing inadequate treatment facility at the government-run hospitals, say family members.

People taking precaution against Swine Flu

According to Dr Palin the sample of another suspected case of swine flu had been sent and the test report will be available latest Tuesday evening.

He added that 40 staffs of his hospital engaged in the treatment of confirmed or suspected H1N1 patients were vaccinated as a precautionary measure.

The woman's husband stated that with an expectation of cutting down the expenditure on treatment she was shifted to RIMS Hospital from Shija Hospital on February 27 after she had checked in at the OPD Department at the private hospital the previous day.

However, he was compelled to return to Shija Hospital after finding that there was no ventilator facility available at RIMS, the husband stated.

He further complained that medicines for treatment of swine flu were not made available at either RIMS or JNIMS hospitals in stark contrast to the public announcement by the government of adequate stock of those medicines there.

The woman;s brother also vented his anger at the authorities on their lack of sincerity and effective activities at the ground level to tackle swine flu while creating a false impression that the situation arising from the threat of the disease is under their control.

On the other hand, Health Director O Ibomcha has maintained that the government had procured in advance enough stock of medicines for swine flu.

The staff and students of DIET collected Rs 53,500 from personal contributions and the amount was handed over to the husband by one of the lecturer of the institute as their assistance in her treatment.