PCB sets up second H1N1 screening centre in Camp

“Now,one dispensary has started. The timing is fixed in such a way that doctors will attend to patients with swine flu symptoms for 10 hours per day. After evaluating the response from people,more doctors and paramedical staff will be added to the existing staff,” said Dr Anil Jayawant,resident medical officer,PCB.

He said the regular patients visiting the Ghorpadi dispensary will be directed to Paramar Dispensary and Shivaji Market Dispensary. On Sunday,170 patients visited the OPD while on Sunday it saw 200 patients. Long queues were visible outside the pharmacy of the hospital in the Monday morning,as more than 150 patients visited the OPD till noon. Some feel if the situation continues,the normal supply of medicines will not be adequate.

“Now,doctors and staff at the hospital are working overtime and there is immense workload. If the situation continues,then the staff should be increased to meet the demand. Also,there may well be a shortage of medicine,” said a medical staff at General Hospital.

Dr Jayawant said that as of now,the pharmacy had enough stock but if the trend continues than it would be brought to the notice of the PCB. “Now,we are documenting the medical history of every patient that visit the OPD on a common printed sheet. It has the details of the patient,symptoms,name of family members and so on. A copy of the medical sheet is sent along with the patient when we refer them to Naidu Hospital,which could be helpful to trace those who come in direct contact with the patient,” he said.