BMC failed to control swine flu, says BJP corporator

The Asian Age.  | Vrushali Purandare

Metros, Mumbai

The official data of the civic body seems to substantiate Mr Yadav’s claims.

Kamlesh Yadav

Mumbai: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator from ward 31 in Kandivali, whose wife, son and niece are being treated for swine flu, has blamed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for not being able to control the spurt in the ailment in the city.

The family members of Kamlesh Yadav, the corporator, were admitted to a privately-run hospital on Friday after they were diagnosed with swine flu. Even though doctors have claimed that Mr Yadav’s family members are stable, he has blamed the civic body for failing to take proper precautions to control the menace of H1N1, including measures like distribution of masks, testing kit and diagnosing ailments like the deadly H1N1 virus.

Mr Yadav also claimed that the common man prefers getting treated at home than admitting family members to BMC-run hospitals, as a result of which the vector-borne disease is spreading.  Mr Yadav said,“ First my niece was diagnosed with swine flu. Later on my wife was diagnosed and then my son. When we went to the civic-run Kandivali Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, I found out that they did not have efficient kits to test the H1N1 virus. They are not well-versed in giving the treatment and giving proper instructions either.”

The hospital in which the family of Yadav was admitted has more than 20 swine flu patients admitted for treatment, Mr Yadav said. “The number of cases are increasing drastically but the BMC administration has failed to provide proper treatment with awareness and they lack a lots of things,” the corporator said.

He also said, “Most of the privately- run hospitals have few beds, due to which they are denying admissions to patients.”

However, BMC health committee chairman Rohini Kamble said, “We are taking an effort to spread awareness about H1N1 virus. BMC is reaching out to the masses to make them aware of how to protect themselves from the virus. BMC is very much active in treating patients with this virus.”

Meanwhile, the official data of the civic body seems to substantiate Mr Yadav’s claims. The data shows that from January 2017 to June 2017, more than 490 cases of H1N1 have been reported in the city. The data also discloses that 16 people have died this year due to the H1N1 virus.

“The number of cases detected this year has shown slow progression until May, after which the numbers began rising,” said an official from the health department. A senior BMC health official said, “ They are creating awareness through various means of communication like hoardings, announcements at railway stations, etc., so that citizens become more aware and start taking precautionary measures.”  “We have also requested people to consult doctors if they are showing any symptoms of swine flu or other diseases,” he added.

H1N1 flu on rise

Swine flu in city and state in comparison to last year Maharashtra, including Mumbai, recorded 284 deaths and 2,324 cases this year. Between January 2017 and June 2017, tests were carried out around the state on more than 9,000 patients because they showed symptoms of swine flu. In 2016, there were 26 deaths and 82 cases from swine flu.

BMC’s steps and criticism

At public hospitals, appropriate sampling techniques are followed, whereby
specimens from only serious or hospitalised patients are being tested, whereas in private centres, testing is done on even those who don’t need to get tested. Maharashtra health minister Dr Deepak Sawant has appealed to the public to be cautious and follow health tips.

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