As toll crosses 200 mark in city, MiD DAY does a status check to see how prepared authorities are to tackle next phase of swine flu
As toll crosses 200 mark in city, MiD DAY does a status check to see how prepared authorities are to tackle next phase of swine flu
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Seven months after schoolgirl Reeda Sheikh became the first victim of the H1N1 virus, the swine flu death toll has crossed the 200 mark in the city.
Two people succumbed to the disease two days ago, taking the toll to 201. And two more people who died yesterday are suspected to have been victims of the virus, but confirmatory lab tests reports are awaited.
With the city gaining the dubious distinction of being the one with the maximum number of swine flu deaths in the country, MiD DAY brings you the lowdown on the preparedness for the second phase of the epidemic that is now expected to arrive.
Vaccine effort
The Serum Institute of India (SII) finally got the go-ahead this week to start second phase trials of the H1N1 vaccine, said Dr Suresh Jadhav, director of SII.
Other companies like Zydus have also applied for permission to hold Phase II trials recently. Most companies have claimed they will come out with the vaccine by April.
Private hospitals
More than 15 private hospitals have been included in the government's plan to tackle Phase II of the epidemic. Most critical cases will be transferred to the swine flu isolation wards in these hospitals.
The health department has also made available 411 doctors from government hospitals and nearly 3,500 doctors from private hospitals to treat swine flu patients.
Beds capacity
According to a report by the District Collectorate on the second phase of the H1N1 pandemic, it is estimated that 16,000 people will require hospital admission.
Speaking to MiD DAY, Dr R R Pardeshi, acting medical officer, Pune Municipal Corporation, said that the Phase II plan is 70 per cent through.
"We have drawn up a plan to make 120 ICU beds available at Naidu hospital, and have already more than 70 per cent through. By June, we will have made additional preparations," he said.
Besides the NIV, private labs have been appointed to test suspected H1N1 samples.
"The problem of delay in lab reports has been corrected for now," said Dr Kalyan Deshpande, head of swine flu control room.
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