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If a hospital does not admit swine flu patients, we will take action, says Dr Deepak Sawant

Private hospitals should not take advantage of the swine flu outbreak in the state and exploit patients, state health minister Dr Deepak Sawant told dna's Santosh Andhale on Sunday. Taking stock of the outbreak, Dr Sawant said that except for maternity nursing homes, no private hospital should refuse to treat swine flu positive patients, and such patients should not be forced to take discharge from hospital. Private hospitals should treat swine flu patients at a subsided rate, he said. Separate wards must be set aside for these patients. Moreover, patients must be allowed to take the test for swine flu from a government or private facility as per their wish. Lastly, the minister told dna that he has received assurances of ample supply of medicine from the central government.

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Private hospitals should not take advantage of the swine flu outbreak in the state and exploit patients, state health minister Dr Deepak Sawant told dna's Santosh Andhale on Sunday. Taking stock of the outbreak, Dr Sawant said that except for maternity nursing homes, no private hospital should refuse to treat swine flu positive patients, and such patients should not be forced to take discharge from hospital. Private hospitals should treat swine flu patients at a subsided rate, he said. Separate wards must be set aside for these patients. Moreover, patients must be allowed to take the test for swine flu from a government or private facility as per their wish. Lastly, the minister told dna that he has received assurances of ample supply of medicine from the central government.

What is the extent of the swine flu outbreak in Maharashtra?
A. This disease has been found in almost eight states. So every state is taking precautionary measures. As for us, our officials are monitoring the situation round the clock across the state, and we have increased surveillance in most vulnerable cities including Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. Since January till date, we have recorded 415 swine flu cases in the state with 58 deaths. We have issued a general alert, but people need not panic at all. We also distributed Tamiflu tablets to our health care workers. If they want vaccination, we also offer this facility absolutely free. The neighbouring states are facing a swine flu epidemic, and Maharashtra has comparatively fewer cases.

Can a private hospital refuse treatment to swine flu patients, saying that there is no bed available for quarantine purposes?
A. Not at all. On Monday I am calling a meeting with CEOs of private hospitals to discuss the measures necessary in this situation. First of all we will ask the (private) hospitals not to refuse treatment to swine flu patients and to give treatment at subsidised rates. The private hospitals have a social responsibility to co-operate with the government in such a situation. Except that maternity homes should not admit swine flu patients, because pregnant women and newborn babies are especially vulnerable to this infection.

What kind of action will you take if private hospitals do not follow government directives?
A. I don't think the need will arise to take action against any hospital. Because most of the hospitals are co-operative and understand the situation. If some hospital does not co-operate with patients, then we will take strict action, and there are various ways to do so. Private hospitals get lots of concessions from the state government, as well as concessions in octroi, water, and electricity charges from the civic bodies. Besides, they need various permissions from the civic bodies, so we have lots of way to take action against them.

Why are the private laboratories charging such high rates for swine flu tests?
A. Currently, private laboratories are charging Rs 5,000 for testing, and there are only three-four private laboratories which offer such tests. We also have our own government laboratories, such as Kasturba hospital, Haffkine institute and National Institute of Virology at Pune, where the test is absolutely free. We have asked the private hospitals to give these options to the patients. It is not necessary for the patient to go to private labs for testing. We are requesting private laboratories to give concessions to the poor.

What is the Union health ministry's response?
A. On Saturday I personally spoke with J P Nadda, union health minister, and gave him all the information about the situation in the State. He has suggested that we create more awareness among the people through newspapers, radio, television and advertisements. We have requested him to send us some extra Tamiflu medicine, and he has assured us that he will send us the medicine soon.

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