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Source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display.../middleeast_September1.xml§ion=middleeast
Delay in Seeking Treatment Main Cause of Oman H1N1 Deaths
Our Correspondent
1 September 2009
MUSCAT ? Most of the deaths caused by H1N1 in Oman resulted from patients? delay in reporting to health institutions, a key official said.
In other cases, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, Health Affairs Under-secretary, added the infected persons suffered from other diseases.
Nine people, including an expatriate, have lost their lives to swine flu in the Sultanate.
The total number of people affected by the disease since it first broke out in Oman at the end of July is around 900.
Saidi said the H1N1 morbidity and mortality rates in the country were ?within normal international limits.?
He also said the southern Dhofar governorate, which accounted for a majority of the deaths, was free from any ?disease or pandemic.?
He said the first consignment of the vaccine against swine flu, now under development, was expected to reach Oman by the end of the year, but added that it would not be used until its safety was ensured.
Saidi added that the ministry would provide health institutions across the country with more doctors, nurses and para-medical staff if there was a need.
He said a committee had been formed with officials from the Health and Education ministries to monitor school students when the new academic year began after Eid.
The rapid spread of the disease prompted the government to delay reopening of state-run schools throughout the country by nearly a month. They were originally scheduled to resume on August 29.
Saidi said all hospitals, health centres and polyclinics run by the ministry in the different regions had been provided with facilities and medicines to treat H1N1 patients, both nationals and expatriates.
The follow-up and Management committee, he added, had drawn up prevention and treatment plans for health institutions in the country.
Delay in Seeking Treatment Main Cause of Oman H1N1 Deaths
Our Correspondent
1 September 2009
MUSCAT ? Most of the deaths caused by H1N1 in Oman resulted from patients? delay in reporting to health institutions, a key official said.
In other cases, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, Health Affairs Under-secretary, added the infected persons suffered from other diseases.
Nine people, including an expatriate, have lost their lives to swine flu in the Sultanate.
The total number of people affected by the disease since it first broke out in Oman at the end of July is around 900.
Saidi said the H1N1 morbidity and mortality rates in the country were ?within normal international limits.?
He also said the southern Dhofar governorate, which accounted for a majority of the deaths, was free from any ?disease or pandemic.?
He said the first consignment of the vaccine against swine flu, now under development, was expected to reach Oman by the end of the year, but added that it would not be used until its safety was ensured.
Saidi added that the ministry would provide health institutions across the country with more doctors, nurses and para-medical staff if there was a need.
He said a committee had been formed with officials from the Health and Education ministries to monitor school students when the new academic year began after Eid.
The rapid spread of the disease prompted the government to delay reopening of state-run schools throughout the country by nearly a month. They were originally scheduled to resume on August 29.
Saidi said all hospitals, health centres and polyclinics run by the ministry in the different regions had been provided with facilities and medicines to treat H1N1 patients, both nationals and expatriates.
The follow-up and Management committee, he added, had drawn up prevention and treatment plans for health institutions in the country.