Gujarat govt looks to rope in more hospitals for swine flu treatment

Several pvt hospitals including six major hospitals in Ahmedabad have been roped in to offer varied kind of services to check the virus outbreak

Even as the toll due to swine flu stood at around 219 by Monday, February 23, 2015, the Gujarat government is planning to rope in more hospitals to treat patients and arrest the outbreak. Already, several private hospitals including six major hospitals in Ahmedabad have been roped in to offer varied kind of services to check the virus outbreak.

"We are trying to rope in as many hospitals as possible. Several different services such as free OPD treatment and subsidised rates are being offered. We are also deploying ayurvedic and homeopathic medicines in a bid increase immunisation among citizens," said a senior government official. Hospitals have been offering either of the services such as free treatment, subsidised rates, sponsorship for treatment of poor, additional beds, etc.

As on Monday, the total H1N1 virus positive cases stood at 3337 with 230 new cases being reported. The death toll due to swine flu reached 219 across the state with 12 more deaths being reported till Monday. In Ahmedabad alone, around 105 new cases were reported apart from three more deaths.

An Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) team from the health department also visited isolation facilities of over 30 hospitals. Moreover, surprise visits are also being conducted by various teams across the city.

Meanwhile, officials said that the government was negotiating for a certain bed reservation for poor patients in private hospitals of the total beds in isolation facilities.