Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 27: Two more deaths and 10 new cases of swine flu have been reported in this winter capital of the State, where the number of deaths due to the virus stands at three as on date whereas no fresh case of H1N1 and resultant death was registered in the Valley.
While an Army Jawan affected with swine flu died at Military Hospital, Satwari, a civilian affected with the disease succumbs at Isolation Ward of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, this morning.
According to a defence spokesperson, an Army Jawan died due to swine flu in Military Hospital, Satwari, early this morning. “The Jawan identified as Havildar Danger Bavan Danabhai of Crossed Swords Division was admitted in Military Hospital, Satwari on February 14. However, he died this morning at about 5 am”, he added.
He further disclosed that another jawan affected with the disease was today discharged from the hospital after he was fully cured of the disease while four suspected cases of H1N1 are under observation and reports of their swab samples are awaited.
“As on date, 155 samples have been sent to NCDC Delhi, out of which 72 reports were received by the department. Of these 72 reports, 18 found to be positive while the rest were negative. Till date two deaths have occurred due to H1N1”, Director Health, BS Pathania told EXCELSIOR.
Dr Pathania said that a total of 43 reports from NCDC were received in last two days by the department out of which nine turned out to be positive while rest were found negative. Twenty-four fresh samples were also sent today to Delhi for testing, he added.
He further revealed that during the last fortnight the number of flu patients reporting in the flu OPDs are showing receding trend, as the positivity rate which was 33% on February 18 has shown serial decrease to 21% as on date.
“The department is making all efforts for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of flu cases besides generating awareness among the public of Jammu Division through print and electronic media and grass root level health workers”, Dr Pathania said, adding a number of advisories have been issued by the directorate to make the public aware about ‘How to save oneself from Flu’.
Besides, isolation wards with adequate number of beds have been made available in all the district hospitals and Community Health Centres and directives have been issued to all Chief Medical Officers and Block Medical Officers about their role and responsibilities in the existing scenario.
Meanwhile, sources in Health Department told that report of Dr Bhupinder Singh, Child Specialist from Jammu, who expired yesterday in Delhi, was found negative for H1N1. Sources said Dr Bhupinder was also suffering from Asthma and Pneumonia and he probably died of that.
Even though 170 patients were examined in the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) today, there was no report of any death due to swine flu in the Kashmir valley during the past three days.
Six people have died, while 181 had tested positive for swine flu in the Kashmir valley since the outbreak of the disease.
Public Relation Officer (PRO) of SKIMS said 170 patients from different parts of the Valley were examined in the OPD of the institute today till 1500 hrs. Only nine patients are admitted in the isolation ward of the SKIMS while two were discharged during the past 24 hours, the PRO said, adding there was also no death due to H1N1 during the past three days.
However, samples of ten people were sent for testing, the PRO said, adding the hospital received reagents/chemicals from NCDC, New Delhi for testing 500 patients arranged by Governor N N Vohra.
Meanwhile, junior doctors of GMCH went on strike and suspended work in Emergency and Isolation Ward of the hospital today after a PG doctor was allegedly thrashed by two attendants of a patient at Chopra Nursing Home over an issue.
Acting swiftly, the Bakshi Nagar police nabbed both the accused identified as Mohd Ali son of Taffaduq Hussain and Rafaqat Hussain son of Ajaz Hussain, both residents of Poonch and registered a case under Sections 34, 332 and 353.
But, the junior doctors were reluctant to call off the strike and were demanding that a case of attempt to murder be registered against both the accused. The negotiation between Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) and hospital authorities were going on till the last reports came in.
“We will continue with our strike unless a case of attempt to murder is registered against both the accused”, Dr Neeraj Sharma, president, RDA said and demanded that security be enhanced in the hospital premises especially the emergency and Isolation Ward.
In a month, this is the third incident of assault on a doctor by an attendant. Earlier after protest by the association, the security was enhanced for few days but later it was withdrawn putting the lives of doctors in danger.
“The security must be strengthened further in the emergency and Isolation Ward so that attendants-medicos clashes can be timely prevented,” he demanded.
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