CM Yogi orders zero-cost H1N1 tests in state hospitals
Lucknow, September 2: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that Influenza-A (H1N1) testing be conducted free of charge in all government health institutions, including district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs, and medical colleges.
He said that monitoring and treatment systems should be further strengthened in districts with a high number of cases, and adequate arrangements for medication, testing, and isolation should be ensured in hospitals. Separate ICU wards should be created for critical patients.
Chief Minister also directed the issuance of detailed guidelines regarding the prevention and treatment of H1N1 and the effective implementation of teleconsultation.
While reviewing the situation of Influenza-A (H1N1) and seasonal influenza in the state on Wednesday in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Minister of State Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh, the Chief Minister said that timely identification and treatment of patients should be ensured. Wherever there is an increase in cases, surveillance should be increased and necessary medical arrangements should be made immediately. It should also be ensured that private medical institutions do not charge more than the previously prescribed fee for testing.
Experts at the meeting informed the Chief Minister that Influenza-A (H1N1) is a strain of the Influenza-A virus and falls under the category of seasonal influenza. Its infection spreads primarily through microscopic droplets from coughs and sneezes. Its main symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches, chills, and redness in the eyes. It was reported that as of September 2, 685 laboratory-confirmed cases of Influenza-A (H1N1) have been reported in the state.
The Chief Minister said that patients with mild symptoms should be advised to rest and self-isolate at home as per medical advice, while serious patients should be provided immediate medical care.
He directed to pay special attention to children, pregnant women, people above 65 years of age and those already suffering from serious diseases.
He asked to identify potential patients by running an intensive screening campaign with the help of ANM, Asha and other health workers and provide information and assistance regarding home quarantine, masks and other measures to prevent infection as per the need. He also directed to set up separate counters for patients with influenza-like symptoms in hospitals.
The Chief Minister stated that to avoid undue pressure on hospitals and ensure timely treatment for serious patients, referrals should be made based on the patient’s condition. Only patients with severe symptoms should be sent to the hospital, and proper treatment and ICU facilities should be ensured for such patients. Experts stated that difficulty breathing, chest pain, extreme lethargy, low blood pressure, bloody sputum, or bluish fingernails may indicate a serious condition. Persistent high fever in children, inability to eat, seizures, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, and worsening of pre-existing conditions are also serious signs.
The meeting was informed that there is adequate availability of oseltamivir capsules and syrup and the H1N1 vaccine in the state. District hospitals have help desks, sample collection for testing, and separate flu OPDs. All medical colleges also have flu help desks, necessary tests, medications, and isolation beds.
Director of SGPGI, Dr. RK Dhiman, Vice Chancellor of KGMU, Dr Sonia Nityanand, and Director of Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Dr CM Singh, briefed the Chief Minister on the treatment, testing, and availability of medicines at their respective institutions. It was revealed at the meeting that medical colleges have flu OPDs and isolation beds, and that sufficient RTPCR kits are available for testing.
The Chief Minister urged for effective public awareness campaigns to prevent the spread of the infection. Simple, accurate, and factual information about what to do and what not to do should be provided to the public to avoid unnecessary panic. Widespread publicity should be provided regarding hand hygiene, caution during coughing and sneezing, and infection prevention measures in hospitals and crowded places.
The Chief Minister directed that the H1N1 situation be continuously monitored, and necessary action should be taken immediately if a rise in cases is observed in any district. He said that timely identification of the disease, prompt treatment for patients in need, availability of adequate medical resources and dissemination of correct information to the public are effective strategies to combat the infection.
