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Swine flu cases increase
By Sarashi Samarasinghe
With increasing number of swine flu (AH1N1) cases being reported from around the country, health services unions charged that the health authorities are attempting to downplay the situation.
Though the Ministry of Health states that there are 422 swine flu patients and 21 deaths reported in the country, the All Ceylon Health Service Union (ACHSU) rejects that statement saying that there are almost 2,000 swine flu patients in the country and there have been more than 30 deaths recorded up to now.
?The Ministry of Health does not reveal either the correct number of patients or the exact number of deaths. But, it is very true that the novel influenza AH1N1 is in a wide spread,? said President, ACHSU, Gamini Kumarasinghe.
According to him, it is extremely hard to give exact details in relation to the infected patients because there are assumed patients as well as unidentified cases yet to be confirmed.
?There is an extreme deceleration in analysis, which is done in relation to the AH1N1 virus,? he added.
He further stated that there are only 40 tests done per a day. That means, out of the 200 samples they receive at the labs in government hospitals, about 80% samples are being rejected without testing.
?So, it is in this context that we see an increasing figure of swine flu patients in our country, in comparison with the other countries in the world,? he said.
Kumarasinghe further noted that the vaccinations given for the virus are not yet being brought into the country and there is a lack of awareness about the precaution methods that are being introduced by the Ministry of Health.
?There is no teamwork. And, necessary steps are not being taken by the Ministry of Healthcare to control this disease. For an example, swine flu was first detected in the country in early January.???? However, the Ministry of Health introduced guidelines in relation to this disease only on November 17, just after a wide spread of the virus,? said Kumarasinghe.
According to him, the ACHSU has sent four letters to the Ministry of Health Secretary though they are yet to receive a response.
?The Ministry is stating that this disease could be automatically controlled in due time, which does not make much sense,? he added.
Kumarasinghe further stated that this disease is frequently seen in the Central Province as well as in the Southern Province.
?The hospital staff is not given proper protective wear, such as aprons and masks. There are four swine flu patients in the Ragama Hospital in the same ward as other patients.
There are almost 120 patients to 130 patients inside a ward though there is suppose to be at least one metre space between two beds. Sometimes we see two patients in one bed, which is extremely risky in the case of swine flu,? he added.
He further stated that treating swine flu patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is also a very unwise step, which has been taken by the authorities, because ICU is a place where very serious patients are being treated and by also treating swine flu patients there the ICU will be a threat to the other patients who are under treatment because it could be easily spread because of the lack of immunity.
By Sarashi Samarasinghe
With increasing number of swine flu (AH1N1) cases being reported from around the country, health services unions charged that the health authorities are attempting to downplay the situation.
Though the Ministry of Health states that there are 422 swine flu patients and 21 deaths reported in the country, the All Ceylon Health Service Union (ACHSU) rejects that statement saying that there are almost 2,000 swine flu patients in the country and there have been more than 30 deaths recorded up to now.
?The Ministry of Health does not reveal either the correct number of patients or the exact number of deaths. But, it is very true that the novel influenza AH1N1 is in a wide spread,? said President, ACHSU, Gamini Kumarasinghe.
According to him, it is extremely hard to give exact details in relation to the infected patients because there are assumed patients as well as unidentified cases yet to be confirmed.
?There is an extreme deceleration in analysis, which is done in relation to the AH1N1 virus,? he added.
He further stated that there are only 40 tests done per a day. That means, out of the 200 samples they receive at the labs in government hospitals, about 80% samples are being rejected without testing.
?So, it is in this context that we see an increasing figure of swine flu patients in our country, in comparison with the other countries in the world,? he said.
Kumarasinghe further noted that the vaccinations given for the virus are not yet being brought into the country and there is a lack of awareness about the precaution methods that are being introduced by the Ministry of Health.
?There is no teamwork. And, necessary steps are not being taken by the Ministry of Healthcare to control this disease. For an example, swine flu was first detected in the country in early January.???? However, the Ministry of Health introduced guidelines in relation to this disease only on November 17, just after a wide spread of the virus,? said Kumarasinghe.
According to him, the ACHSU has sent four letters to the Ministry of Health Secretary though they are yet to receive a response.
?The Ministry is stating that this disease could be automatically controlled in due time, which does not make much sense,? he added.
Kumarasinghe further stated that this disease is frequently seen in the Central Province as well as in the Southern Province.
?The hospital staff is not given proper protective wear, such as aprons and masks. There are four swine flu patients in the Ragama Hospital in the same ward as other patients.
There are almost 120 patients to 130 patients inside a ward though there is suppose to be at least one metre space between two beds. Sometimes we see two patients in one bed, which is extremely risky in the case of swine flu,? he added.
He further stated that treating swine flu patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is also a very unwise step, which has been taken by the authorities, because ICU is a place where very serious patients are being treated and by also treating swine flu patients there the ICU will be a threat to the other patients who are under treatment because it could be easily spread because of the lack of immunity.
