Pvt hospitals may be allowed to conduct swine flu test:CM

The Maharashtra government may allow private hospitals to conduct tests for determining swine flu and is likely to discuss the matter in the cabinet, chief minister Ashok Chavan said today.

"I feel there is a mad rush to government hospitals for swine flu testing. The government is looking at whether it can permit private hospitals to carry out swine flu testing," Chavan told reporters here.

The death of 14-year-old Reeda Shaikh in Pune of swine flu (caused by the H1N1 influenza virus) has caused panic among people in the state, which has witnessed a surge in the number of patients turning up at government-run hospitals for the flu testing.

"There is no reason to panic," Chavan said, adding that even patients afflicted with common cold are flocking to hospitals for tests. "The government machinery is fully geared up. We have enough medicines, doctors, as well as enough isolated wards in government hospitals to tackle any kind of eventuality."