SCB Medical College and Hospital not prepared to tackle swine flu

CUTTACK: The state government has sounded an alert after two swine flu cases were detected in the state and it has also claimed that adequate measures have been taken to deal with the situation. But the reality is completely different as the state's premier SCB Medical College and Hospital is yet to open a swine flu ward.
According to hospital sources, even there is no adequate stock of Tamiflu medicines and ventilators, used in the treatment of the swine flu.
The lack of preparedness of the hospital to tackle swine flu has drawn flak from different sections of the society. "Swine flu cases have been reported in the state, but the callous SCB authorities are yet to open an isolated swine flu ward. If any critical swine flu patient is brought to the hospital, the hospital is ill prepared to treat," said Pravat Das, a member of advocate committee appointed by the Orissa high court to look after the health facilities in the state. He further stated that if this is the preparedness of the state's biggest referral hospital then just imagine how equipped are the district headquarter hospital to deal with swine flu.
"The hospital authorities are well-aware about the swine flu cases but still they are not prepared to tackle the situation. This shows the alertness of the hospital authorities," said Vikash Sahoo, a senior citizen.
The H1N1 virus had claimed 32 lives in state in 2010 and the SCB hospital had received over 100 swine flu patients. Being the biggest government run hospital in the state, the swine flu cases are usually referred to SCB for treatment. But surprisingly, the hospital is not at all prepared to handle the situation. Swine flu being a highly contagious disease, an isolated ward has to be opened to treat the patients. In 2010, the hospital had opened a 20 bed quarantine ward in the month of July to attend the swine flu cases and later on it was closed.
However, the hospital superintendent has claimed that the swine flu ward will be opened very soon. "We are taking measures to open swine flu ward and it will be made functional very soon,"said Dr D.N Moharana, superintendent of SCB hospital.