Summary:
Bhopal: Following death of three swine flu patients in the state capital on Wednesday, chief minister Kamal Nath expressed concern over spurt in deaths due to deadly H1N1 virus in the state. In the absence of virology lab in Indore, samples are sent to Pune for testing and by the time report is received, it’s too late for the patient.GFX:H1N1 cases in MP2018 --- 100 +ive, 34 deaths2019 --- 128 +ive, 30 deaths State’s industrial capital, Indore, is also witnessing deaths due to disease this year.Asking the health officials all over the state to take effective steps to control the disease, the CM sought to know the reasons why figures of death were constantly rising. A proposal would be introduced in the next state cabinet for the purpose, he said.Whistleblower from Indore Dr Anand Rai said that the MP high court had also ordered for establishing a virology lab in Indore some years ago, but the order was not complied with. He also sought their feedback on resources they needed to deal with the situation so that the state government could provide them with all the resources required for the purpose.The chief minister also expressed concern over delay in construction of virology lab at Indore, the worst-hit district, and said it was surprising that two years after Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) sanctioned a virology lab at Indore, work on the project has not begun at all.He said that not only in Indore, ICMR had sanctioned establishment of virology lab at Rewa, Gwalior and Sagar as well, but the facility to confirm presence of H1N1 virus was still limited to Bhopal and Jabalpur.The chief minister said there were several deaths due to swine flu in Indore because of delay in H1N1 test as samples have to be sent outside and receipt of report takes time.He said work for establishing virology lab in Indore would begin soon and the state government would ensure that test of swine flu also starts there..