Separate OPDs for swine flu patients in Rajasthan

Concerned over the increasing number of swine flu deaths in the state, the Rajasthan government has decided to set up separate out-patient departments (OPD) in government hospitals for patients with symptoms of the disease.

Thirty three persons have died so far in the state due to the disease.

"These OPDs will be set up in all the government hospitals across the state. Besides this, we will start door-to-door screening in and around the areas from where swine flu patients have so far been found," a senior official of the state medical and health department told IANS Friday.

A team of doctors will visit the areas where cases of swine flu have been detected and will screen the patients suffering from cold, cough and fever. "Samples of patients having symptoms of swine flu will be collected from these areas and will be sent for test," the officer added.

Hospital authorities across the state have been asked to keep an isolation ward and ventilators ready and full stock of medicines required for the treatment of H1N1 influenza.

Rajasthan has already made medical tests free for people having symptoms of swine flu at the six government medical colleges across the state.

Out of the 33 deaths reported till Thursday, 11 were from Jaipur alone. Over 120 people are reported to have tested positive for the flu across the state.