KOLKATA: The state government scrambled to set up swine flu isolation wards on Friday even as seven more patients tested positive and the
administration mulled asking schools to shut down for some time. Students have been advised to wear masks to school.
With 10 positive patients and four suspects already under treatment at Infectious Diseases Hospital, Beliaghata, the number of affected has shot up to 21 — far surpassing the capacity of the lone H1N1 quarantine ward.
After dithering for over a week, the government finally started a second isolation ward, at MR Bangur Hospital, and decided to rope in private hospitals as well. Isolation wards have also been planned at the district hospitals.
“We’ve spoken to a few private hospitals and they could start isolation wards within a week,” said director of health services Aniruddha Kar.
That’s only part of the problem. The H1N1 testing facility is already working beyond capacity and can handle no more. Angry scenes were witnessed at ID Hospital as hundreds swarmed the clinic for swab tests. Ninety-two samples were collected while NICED can hardly manage 20 a day — twice its capacity.
There was just one doctor on duty on Friday, forcing patients to wait for hours. Some even alleged that they were turned away.
“After waiting in the queue with my son for two hours, I was told to come back on Monday because the time for swab tests was apparently over,” fumed Anindya Banerjee.
“My nephew, who is running a high temperature, nearly fell unconscious during the long wait,” complained Tapas Mondol, who had come from Kalyani. Raktim Chatterjee, a student from south Kolkata, fell ill while waiting in queue.
Doctors admitted that staff shortage has affected the scree-ning and testing facilities. “There aren’t enough doctors to handle this huge volume of patients. Unless patients are referred to other hospitals, the situation could go out of control,” said a doctor.
Patients complained that the isolation ward had become so crowded that it was difficult to breathe inside. “It is very stuffy and it has no air-conditioner. Even the nurses feel suffocated and have stopped wearing the protective gear, which is risky,” said a patient who was released on Thursday.
administration mulled asking schools to shut down for some time. Students have been advised to wear masks to school.
With 10 positive patients and four suspects already under treatment at Infectious Diseases Hospital, Beliaghata, the number of affected has shot up to 21 — far surpassing the capacity of the lone H1N1 quarantine ward.
After dithering for over a week, the government finally started a second isolation ward, at MR Bangur Hospital, and decided to rope in private hospitals as well. Isolation wards have also been planned at the district hospitals.
“We’ve spoken to a few private hospitals and they could start isolation wards within a week,” said director of health services Aniruddha Kar.
That’s only part of the problem. The H1N1 testing facility is already working beyond capacity and can handle no more. Angry scenes were witnessed at ID Hospital as hundreds swarmed the clinic for swab tests. Ninety-two samples were collected while NICED can hardly manage 20 a day — twice its capacity.
There was just one doctor on duty on Friday, forcing patients to wait for hours. Some even alleged that they were turned away.
“After waiting in the queue with my son for two hours, I was told to come back on Monday because the time for swab tests was apparently over,” fumed Anindya Banerjee.
“My nephew, who is running a high temperature, nearly fell unconscious during the long wait,” complained Tapas Mondol, who had come from Kalyani. Raktim Chatterjee, a student from south Kolkata, fell ill while waiting in queue.
Doctors admitted that staff shortage has affected the scree-ning and testing facilities. “There aren’t enough doctors to handle this huge volume of patients. Unless patients are referred to other hospitals, the situation could go out of control,” said a doctor.
Patients complained that the isolation ward had become so crowded that it was difficult to breathe inside. “It is very stuffy and it has no air-conditioner. Even the nurses feel suffocated and have stopped wearing the protective gear, which is risky,” said a patient who was released on Thursday.
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