Health minister reviews preparedness to combat swine flu

The minister of state for health in Gujarat government conducted a review meeting on Thursday of his department and assessed the preparedness of the government medical staff to combat swine flu and other vector-borne and water-borne deseases. The minister also instructed the staff in the department to procure sufficient medicines and vaccines as advance planning.

Kishor Kanani had also addressed the medical staff in districts through a video conference besides the officials in secretariat. Kanani said, “As the winter season is going on, there is a possibility that the swine flu and other vector-borne diseases can rise. I reviewed the preparedness of the health department to combat the situation. As the assembly polls concluded recently, it was necessary to undertake a stock-taking exercise and the video conference with the medical staff in state was part of that.”

“The state government has sufficient stock of medicines and vaccines, in case there is a rise of cases related to swine flu. The government hospital also have separate wards that could suffice the demand for the treatment of the swine flu patients. I had the concern that there should not be any complaint from any corner of the state taking the facilities in government hospitals,” added Kanani.

The officials also shared information on the sensitisation programme for swine flu and other vector-borne diseases, arrangements for test of blood samples of the patients and other required infrastructure. The minister felicitated the doctors serving in government hospitals for their services in the last year.