Check spread of swine flu in state: Gehlot to officials

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has directed health department officials to check the spread of swine flu in the state with special focus on the five districts where the number of cases has seen a spurt in recent months.

During a high-level meeting, the chief minister asked the officials to focus on Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur and Baran districts, a release said.

Principal of state-run SMS Hospital Sudhir Bhandari apprised the chief minister on the preparedness of the administration to curb the spread of swine flu in Jaipur.

As per the medical and health department, a total of 22,172 people in the state were tested for swine flu from January 1 to December 28 this year. Out of them, 2,315 were diagnosed positive and 218 died.

The chief minister directed a team of SMS Hospital to visit other medical colleges and hospitals in the state and coordinate with the health department staff to curb the spread of the disease.

He also directed the officials to ensure required medicines were available at all hospitals, including Primary Health Centres.

State Medical and Health Minister Raghu Sharma directed staff at control rooms to remain alert and work in an effective manner.

A video conferencing meeting will be held on Monday with principals of medical colleges, superintendents of hospital and officers at the district and block-level to review the preventive measures taken up by the state.