Srinagar, Oct 09: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Friday said that in view of swell in number of H1N1 cases and deaths in some parts of the country, centre on Wednesday asked states to gear up to tackle H1N1 but health authorities in Kashmir seem to take the alert lightly.
With flu season round the corner and swine flu knocking on the door valley is ill prepared to handle any possible H1N1 outbreak.
In a statement to KNS, President DAK Dr Nisar ul Hassan and H1N1 expert said that hospitals in the valley lack an isolation ward which puts other patients at risk of contracting the deadly virus.
We have critically sick patients admitted in hospitals who are vulnerable to flu related complications and even deaths.
SMHS hospital, one of the designated hospitals to treat H1N1 has no isolation ward for swine flu patients.
We saw in previous outbreak H1N1 patients were kept in SICU with other patients which was responsible for spread of disease and deaths.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
SKIMS has created a separate unscientific room for swine flu patients which is dysfunctional and remains locked.
Isolation wards for swine flu patients have to be scientifically designed with negative pressure and dedicated ventilators fitted with HEPA filters.
Union health ministry on Wednesday told states to ensure effective surveillance which Kashmir cannot do as it lacks H1N1 testing facility.
Even the designated laboratory at SKIMS do not have the desirable BSL-3 facilities to handle and process the specimens of H1N1 risking the lives of laboratory staff.
The mandatory flu vaccination of healthcare workers is yet to take off and the unprotected staff is a huge risk to vulnerable patients.
It seems that no lessons have been learnt from previous outbreak which led to loss of a dozen lives. (KNS)