Journalism of Courage
On August 3,2009,the countrys and Punes first swine flu death was recorded. And if 2009 was spent under the shadow of fears of fresh outbreaks,2010 was a year that saw counter-measures,with hospitals and the administration on their toes. Most of all,it was the year of the vaccine and the debate on whether to take it or not.
The year that was
When people were casting doubts,the Indian Medical Association (IMA) played a key role in creating awareness and dispelling myths. With no policy decisions from the state government making it mandatory to take vaccine,it was the community of doctors who urged people to take the vaccine.
According to state immunisation officer Dr V M Kulkarni,it took a long time to persuade health workers and doctors to take the imported vaccine when it was introduced. Out of the 34,400 doses,we had to return 7,300 to the state government.
At Sassoon General Hospital,924 doctors and medical workers took the oral vaccine. Says Dr Renu Bharadwaj,microbiologist and Deputy Dean of B J Medical College,Taking the vaccine helped in creating herd immunity against the virus.
There was a huge response to the indigenously prepared vaccine by the Serum Institute,and according to officials,at least three million doses have been sold across India,while 11 lakh doses were provided in Pune. Chief of the Pune unit of the IMA,Dr Sharad Agharkhedkar,says,Eleven lakh doses of Nasovac were administered.
According to Dr Pradip Awate,surveillance officer,Maharashtra health department,as against 415 deaths in the state from August 2009 to March 2010,there were 522 deaths registered from April 2010 to mid-December. Till October this year,2,575 persons had died due to the virus across India. Sporadic cases will occur as the virus has become endemic,Awate adds. He points out a decrease in number of deaths across the state.
Emerging diseases like H1N1 has made it essential to strengthen surveillance and epidemic response capacities,says the Ministry of Health and Family Welfares annual Report to the People on Health.
National Institute of Virology (NIV) says there have been more cases of influenza B this year. Dr M S Chadda,deputy director,NIV,says,While vaccination may have helped,it was not the sole reason for herd immunity.
Laboratory testing facilities were increased from 2 to 45 this year.
And Wasn’t
Plans shelved: Following the H1N1 panic,the state health authorities had risen to the challenge and co-ordinated efforts of local bodies with the district collector by organising regular meetings but a few schemes that were announced,never really took off.
Hospital stuck: Among them was a state government proposal to set up a 200-bed infectious diseases hospital at Aundh,specifically for H1N1 patients. The hospital never took off. The then additional chief secretary,health,Sharvari Gokhale,had said the government was seriously considering setting up of a hospital.
Later political parties pulled up the government for not pursuing its plans. When contacted,Dr U Gawhande,additional director,health services,Maharashtra,confirmed there was a proposal to set up a hospital. However,with citizens developing natural immunity,the cases soon dipped.
QUOTE UNQUOTELast year,it was felt that Pune was the epicentre (of H1N1) and would be the focal point where people from adjoining areas would seek treatment., Dr U Gawhande,Additional Director,Health Services,Maharashtra
