Govt to sensitise people on Nipah

Hyderabad: The State government shifted focus on Nipah virus awareness following symptoms scare of two patients which turned out negative. Major government hospitals in the city have readied isolated wards with safety masks and attire for medical staff that will treat patients admitted with related symptoms of Nipah virus.

With Nipah scare in few southern States, few private hospitals in the city are throwing the ball into government court when patients undergoing treatment are showing high fever and flu symptoms.

This attitude was witnessed in shifting of an IT professional to Fever hospital recently. The young techie who was admitted into a corporate hospital in Gachibowli developed high fever and anxious medical staff from the hospital made a SoS call to Fever hospital, Nallakunta and admitted the patient in their isolated ward because of Nipah virus symptoms.

Fever hospital doctors stated that private hospitals have limited facilities when it comes to treatment in isolated wards and it was obvious they depend on State hospitals in such needy situations. Chairing a review meeting on Saturday, Health Minister C Laxma Reddy directed officials to be on toes and take prompt action on treatment and samples collection from patients reporting related symptoms.

Meanwhile, Laxma Reddy emphasised on transparency with no scope for irregularities in doctors transfers after government nod recently. The transfers should be in line with guidelines prepared by the government, he said, asking senior officials to prepare transfers list at the earliest.

The Minister also wanted the department officials to expedite the process of filling vacant posts by taking up new recruitments.