H1N1 Influenza: Union Ministry of Health rushes supply of Masks, PPE Kits and VTM Vials to the State Government

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 24(KMW): The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has rushed supply of 1000 pieces each of N-95 Masks, PPE Kits, and VTM Vials to the J&K Government. These supplies shall reach Srinagar and Jammu on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued to KMW, The release of the aforesaid consignments follows the request made by the Governor, Mr. N.N. Vohra, who yesterday spoke to Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Health Minister and Mr. Bhanupratap Singh, Union Health Secretary, for rushing additional supplies of VTM, PPE, N95 Masks and medicines. This request was made after the Governor held a review meeting to take stock of the availability of medicines, protective masks and equipments to combat H1N1 Influenza.
Meanwhile, as the per to-date status report received during the day, 71 patients were seen in OPD in GMC Jammu, 463 in GMC Srinagar, 542 in other hospitals in Kashmir Division and another 224 in other hospitals in Jammu Division. In the Kashmir Division, 28 samples were taken for H1N1 out of which 14 have tested positive and 3 negative for H1N1 while the results of 11 cases are pending. Further, in SKIMS, 66 more tests have been processed out of which 15 have tested positive for H1N1 Influenza. In Jammu Division, 224 OPD patients were seen today and of the 115 samples taken so far (including 25 today) 5 have tested positive, 11 reports are negative and 74 reports are pending.
Further, in Kashmir Division 2,500 Tamiflu tablets, 100 VTM and 110 PPE kits have been issued to CMOs. In Jammu Division, 1000 Tamiflu tablets were issued today to Government Medical College Jammu, while 25 VTM, 4 PPE, and 8 N-95 Masks have been consumed till date. Similarly SKIMS has procured 4000 H1N1 additional Masks, and another 5000 Tamiflu tablets. During the day, Director Health Services Jammu received 3,060 Tamiflu tablets out of which 1000 tablets have been issued to GMC Jammu. The present availability of Tamiflu is 2500 tablets with Director Health Services Kashmir, 920 with GMC Jammu and 1590 with GMC Srinagar.
The Raj Bhavan Spokesperson added that the Governor has already directed the Divisional Commissioners Kashmir and Jammu and all the Deputy Commissioners in both Divisions to remain very closely involved with the Flu management arrangements and send him a daily situation report. The Governor has reiterated his directions to the State Health authorities to make use of all available media for carrying out a sustained campaign to enhance the awareness of the people at large regarding all aspects of the Flu so that there is no unnecessary panic or scare and preventive steps are taken.