The detection of a case of swine flu in the State capital has prompted the district health department to sound an alert for the highly contagious disease but the shocking fact is that the hospitals of the district do not have ‘Tamiflu’ the drug used by the physicians to treat swine flu. The Tamiflu is the name under which drug Oseltamivir is marketed and is used for the prevention and treatment of swine flu. This drug is on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) list of essential medicines and it has put the drug as one of the most important medication needed in basic health system.
On Monday, the blood sample of a Mohini Road resident of city was found positive for swine flu after which the health department officials of district were in state of alert. However an inquiry by this correspondent revealed that this most essential drug is off the shelf of the hospitals of the district. Doon hospital the biggest hospital of the state has deputed Dr Praveen Panwar as the nodal officer for the disease but the hospital does not have the medicine to give to any patient who is suspected of swine flu. The Principal Medical Superintendent (PMS) of Doon hospital Dr R S Aswal confirmed that the Tamiflu is not in the hospital.
He said that the drug would be procured and made available if the need arises. The district pharmacy Officer S S Chauan said that he has raised the indent of Tami Flu with the office of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dehradun. When contacted the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Dehradun Dr S P Agarwal accepted that Tamiflu drug is not available in the district. He said that he has informed the health directorate about the non availability of the drug. Dr Agarwal claimed that the Tami flu would be available in next few days and would be supplied to the hospitals. He said that all the hospitals of the district are asked to keep watch on suspected cases of swine flu and report such cases without delay.
Prominent physician and President of Uttarakhand chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) Dr Kuldeep Dutta told The Pioneer that as per the norms of WHO the district health department should keep a minimum stock of an essential drug like Tami Flu. He said that the department should keep a buffer stock of drug and should keep a strict watch on its availability.