Swine flu: Health dept to step up awareness drive

Health officials said the department had also written to the Municipal Corporation and the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking, asking for permission to put up informative hoardings in the city. “We will install four hoardings at prominent places in the city and buses, too, can be used to display the messages,” said an official. “We are waiting for the permission from the departments concerned,” he added.

Official said letters had been sent to schools in the city also. “We have asked city schools to share information (Dos and don’ts) regarding swine flu with students during morning assemblies and in classes,” said the official. “Through the schools we can send the messages to the city’s homes,” he added.

The official said letters had been also sent to sarpanches in the peripheral villages asking them to raise awareness among the people.

Even as the department is hoping to provide awareness, which can help to stop a further spread, the officials also said that the department was prepared for any situation.

At the three major government hospitals in the city, isolation wards were set up and medicines and masks were kept ready, officials said.

UT Health Department Director Dr V K Gagneja told Chandigarh Newsline that steps were being initiated to prevent the spread of swine flu.

“We are prepared to tackle it,” he said.