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Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/s...ZRCAUTQ==&SEO=
As city catches fever, doctors at BIA get SOS
Luna Dewan
First Published : 01 Aug 2009 07:32:49 AM IST
Last Updated :
BANGALORE: The rising number of dengue and chikungunya cases in the city has led to the recall of many doctors, deputed at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) for H1N1 screening, to hospitals and health centres.
?The problem of getting doctors for screening at the BIA has led the Health department to depute staff nurses to make up for the deficiency,? says Dr Anbazhagan, regional director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare.
As per BBMP records, since January 65 confirmed cases of dengue and 405 confirmed cases of chikungunya were reported in the city, with a majority of the cases reported in the last two months. A batch of six doctors each per week from BBMP, who were at BIA for the H1N1 screening, have been withdrawn.
?The step had to be taken to tackle the rising number of dengue and chikungunya cases in the city,? said Dr L T Gayatri Devi, chief health officer, BBMP.
Doctors are now working in two shifts at the BIA everyday, one batch for the day shift (8 am to 8 pm) and one for the night shift (8 pm to 8 am).
A shift includes five doctors and six staff nurses.
About 18 to 23 international fights land at the BIA everyday, bringing in a minimum of 2,149 passengers and a maximum of 3,900 passengers.
?There will be around 80-150 passengers in one international flight. Sometimes when two flights land at a time, there is a rush at the counters, and it really becomes difficult to handle,? said an intern doctor deputed for screening at the BIA.
When Express made an enquiry on Friday, the intern doctor on duty said, ?Right now, we are just three intern doctors and one medical officer from the airport at the screening counter.? According to a recent declaration by the World Health Organisation, the H1N1 virus seems to circulate more during winter. Speaking to Express about back-up measures, Dr TS Cheluvaraj, Joint Director, Communicable Diseases, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka, said, ?There seems to be no crunch in the staff, we have now deputed staff nurses. In case there is any urgency, we are ready to handle the situation and deal accordingly."
As city catches fever, doctors at BIA get SOS
Luna Dewan
First Published : 01 Aug 2009 07:32:49 AM IST
Last Updated :
BANGALORE: The rising number of dengue and chikungunya cases in the city has led to the recall of many doctors, deputed at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) for H1N1 screening, to hospitals and health centres.
?The problem of getting doctors for screening at the BIA has led the Health department to depute staff nurses to make up for the deficiency,? says Dr Anbazhagan, regional director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare.
As per BBMP records, since January 65 confirmed cases of dengue and 405 confirmed cases of chikungunya were reported in the city, with a majority of the cases reported in the last two months. A batch of six doctors each per week from BBMP, who were at BIA for the H1N1 screening, have been withdrawn.
?The step had to be taken to tackle the rising number of dengue and chikungunya cases in the city,? said Dr L T Gayatri Devi, chief health officer, BBMP.
Doctors are now working in two shifts at the BIA everyday, one batch for the day shift (8 am to 8 pm) and one for the night shift (8 pm to 8 am).
A shift includes five doctors and six staff nurses.
About 18 to 23 international fights land at the BIA everyday, bringing in a minimum of 2,149 passengers and a maximum of 3,900 passengers.
?There will be around 80-150 passengers in one international flight. Sometimes when two flights land at a time, there is a rush at the counters, and it really becomes difficult to handle,? said an intern doctor deputed for screening at the BIA.
When Express made an enquiry on Friday, the intern doctor on duty said, ?Right now, we are just three intern doctors and one medical officer from the airport at the screening counter.? According to a recent declaration by the World Health Organisation, the H1N1 virus seems to circulate more during winter. Speaking to Express about back-up measures, Dr TS Cheluvaraj, Joint Director, Communicable Diseases, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka, said, ?There seems to be no crunch in the staff, we have now deputed staff nurses. In case there is any urgency, we are ready to handle the situation and deal accordingly."