Eight die of seasonal influenza, over 100 cases emerge

Govt has yet to make arrangements for isolation wards


Umer Farooq January 16, 2016
PHOTO: AFP

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has yet to make arrangements for keeping people infected with seasonal influenza (H1N1) at isolation wards, while eight people have succumbed to this disease.

Health experts believe that even though the recent rainfall will cause a decrease in the number of cases, numbers this year have been alarming.

According to details gathered from hospitals, 105 cases of seasonal influenza were reported from across K-P with the majority of patients, 77, from Swabi district.

The count from other districts was 28 with eight cases reported at the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH).

“Even though it is a mild disease, the viral infection has taken a serious turn,” Dr Arshad Javed, who works at the Chest and Pulmonology Ward at Lady Reading Hospital, told The Express Tribune. He said 28 patients from different parts of the province were currently being treated at the facility and their test samples had been sent to the National Institute of Health, Islamabad. He added reports from the city will reach soon.

At risk

According to Javed, influenza mostly attacks children below the age of five, people above the age of 65 and pregnant women. He said locals must take precautionary steps to prevent catching the infection. The health expert  added people with lung, heart and kidney diseases and those with diabetes were more prone to contracting the virus.

Preparing to fight

Javed said people must get vaccinated against influenza in October, November or December. He stated those infected must rest in isolated places, remain indoors and wear a mask. The doctor emphasised the fact that once reports suggest the person has contracted the virus, medicines should immediately be taken. “It is most effective to seek treatment at the initial stages since medicines do not help after complications arise,” he added.

Assistance from the top

Javed also said the health department provided free medicines for the treatment of influenza since it costs around Rs12,000 in the black market.

When contacted, K-P Secretary for Health Dr Jamal Yousaf told The Express Tribune a sum of Rs744 million was provided to LRH in addition to its routine budget so that shortcomings could be addressed. He added the government was sincere in providing all possible facilities to the public.

“We are planning a filtration system so that proper referral is adopted and people from other parts of the province are treated at their doorstep,” Yousaf said. He added this will ultimately reduce the burden on three tertiary hospitals, especially LRH.

He said most of the time; resources fall short due to an influx of patients as health services are also provided to people from neighbouring Afghanistan.

“The health reforms are meant to address fundamental gaps and the government is equipped to deal with the newly arisen challenge [of seasonal influenza],” Yousaf added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2016.

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