Pune: The state health ministry has been caught napping on the WHO mandated Ebola-alert, issued a few days ago. The high mortality rate caused by the Ebola virus — specifically spread in West Africa — which has claimed more than 1,000 world-wide, has not managed to grab the attention of officials. Instead, they prefer to take a casual stand and are not in a hurry to fortify hospitals in the city.
It may be remembered that the state projected a similar stance during the outbreak of H1N1 in 2009, when Pune saw a rampant spread of the virus — there was no preparedness towards patient care and the disease claimed many lives. Now, three days since the WHO notice was issued, officials are yet to chart out an action plan. This came to light when Mirror contacted Dr Satish Pawar, state director for health services, who said, "The alert is only for Mumbai and people from Pune never travel to Africa."
Pawar was quick to draw a rough parallel between H1N1 and Ebola, on the basis that the former is a respiratory infection, while the latter spreads through bodily fluids. He went on to argue, "In India the spread of Ebola, if at all, will have lower mortality, between 50 to 60 per cent since it is not respiratory. So there is no cause for concern."
On further probe, he said, "We will eventually conduct a meeting of all the deputy directors of health services to establish an isolation ward at Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital."
11/08/14 Nozia Sayyed/Pune Mirror
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It may be remembered that the state projected a similar stance during the outbreak of H1N1 in 2009, when Pune saw a rampant spread of the virus — there was no preparedness towards patient care and the disease claimed many lives. Now, three days since the WHO notice was issued, officials are yet to chart out an action plan. This came to light when Mirror contacted Dr Satish Pawar, state director for health services, who said, "The alert is only for Mumbai and people from Pune never travel to Africa."
Pawar was quick to draw a rough parallel between H1N1 and Ebola, on the basis that the former is a respiratory infection, while the latter spreads through bodily fluids. He went on to argue, "In India the spread of Ebola, if at all, will have lower mortality, between 50 to 60 per cent since it is not respiratory. So there is no cause for concern."
On further probe, he said, "We will eventually conduct a meeting of all the deputy directors of health services to establish an isolation ward at Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital."
11/08/14 Nozia Sayyed/Pune Mirror
