Imphal, August 11 2009: With the number of fatality from Swine flu in India reaching 10, two officials of the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry will be arriving here tomorrow, to monitor the preparations being made by the State Government to combat spread of the pandemic in the State, where one positive case has been confirmed.

Meanwhile, a high level meeting with the Chief Minister in the chair, was held today to discuss issues related to the fast spreading Influenza A (H1N1) virus which has so far reportedly claimed 10 lives in different parts of the country.

Giving these informations while talking to mediapersons at his office chamber today, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat informed that Rapid Response Teams have been set up, control room opened and 10,543 Tamiflu tablets have been kept in stock to contain spread of Swine flu in the State.

Moreover, two beds have been arranged at JN Hospital to keep the patients in isolation and efforts are being made to increase the number of beds to four, the Minister said, adding that eight beds are already in the isolation ward of RIMS.

Disclosing that the State Government would propose setting up of a testing centre at Imphal, apart from providing adequate ventilators, to the officials from Union Health Ministry, who will arrive here tomorrow, the Minister appealed to the people to come out voluntarily to get tested for Swine flu.

To create more awareness of the disease among the people, a workshop for mediapersons and doctors will also be organised, the Minister informed.

A meeting held at RIMS today had also reportedly decided to approach the Ministry for setting up a Swine flue testing centre at RIMS.

Meanwhile, according to a reliable source, a high level meeting with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in the chair was held today to discuss issues related to H1N1 virus, responsible for causing Swine Flu, which has so far claimed 10 lives in the country.

Following the meeting, the Health Commissioner has issued an order that any Swine Flu patient treated at private hospitals should be referred either to RIMS or JN Hospital.

The charges for conducting Swine Flu test at private hospitals, however, will not be decided by the Govt.

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