J P Nadda asks Centre, State governments to be prepared to tackle H1N1

NEW DELHI: Health Minister J P Nadda today directed officials of both central and state governments to stock up on necessary armamentarium to tackle cases of Swine Flu, while reassuring that there was no need to panic.

Nadda, who chaired an high-level meeting here to review preparedness and action taken to deal with H1N1 flu virus cases, directed officials to ensure that states have adequate quantity of personal protective equipment for health care workers as well as necessary diagnostic facilities.

"The Health Minister stated that while there is no cause to panic, the central and state governments should be well prepared. He directed the central and states government to stock up on emergency requirements of medicine Oseltamivir, even though the centre and states have procured the same for their respective use.

"The Health Minister emphasised on the states having adequate quantity of personal protective equipment for health care workers as also diagnostic facilities required for testing H1N1 samples should be ensured," an official statement said.

Senior officials of Health and Family Welfare department, health research, AIIMS, Safdurjung hospital, RML hospital, NCDC and officials of Governments of Delhi and Ghaziabad were present during the meeting.

"The Health Minister has advised that the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network should continue comprehensive and prompt reporting so that the districts or states requiring more attention can be identified," the statement said.

After two fresh cases of Swine Flu been reported recently in the national capital. The total figure has risen to five cases this year, while the total figure is 43 since 2014.