One case recorded positive, lack of ventilators exposes ‘fool proof’ arrangements
Anupama Sharma
Jammu, Feb 19
“The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) has registered one positive Swine flu case, but the premier hospital is not yet ready to tackle it as there are no ventilators in the hospital,” said a senior doctor, wishing anonymity.
The doctor said that the hospital authorities although claim that they have made fool proof arrangements to fight swine flu, but the fact is that they do not have sufficient ventilators in the hospital to deal with such cases.
“There are many patients registered with swine flu symptoms at GMC&H. The samples of these patients have been sent to laboratories,” said doctor, adding that recently one patient was admitted in the hospital and his reports were positive.
Talking to The Typewriter, principal of GMC&H Dr Sunanda Raina admitted that they have admitted one patient with Swine Flu positive, but he is undergoing treatment.
“The hospital is all prepared to fight the swine flu, as this is not a new disease in the state. Our doctors and machinery is on service of the patients,” said Principal, adding that every year GMC&H registers many patients with swine flu symptoms.
When asked about availability of ventilators, she said they have adequate number of ventilators and if needed they can arrange more.
However, senior doctor asserted that the authorities at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) are making hollow claims of making fool proof arrangements to fight swine flu, as patients are rushing to private hospitals and clinics for the treatment.
“Had there been fool proof arrangements to fight swine flu at GMC&H, the local patients were not rushing to private hospitals for treatment,” doctor said and added that Jammu is “more vulnerable” to the swine flu given the footfall of the visitors from other states.
Doctor said that despite being more vulnerable and having witnessed several deaths due to swine flu in the previous years, the concerned authorities are allegedly callous towards lives of people in Jammu region.
Doctor said as Jammu has no specialized facility like SKIMS as in Kashmir, it is more of a responsibility on the part of the government to be extra-prepared to face any eventuality in the region.
“There are no specialized and fully-equipped wards as yet to treat such patients despite the fact that in the last few years several patients died due to lack of proper facilities,” said a doctor, adding that the authorities at GMC&H in general and health authorities in particular must take things handy instead of waiting for eventuality.
