HC to MP govt: Take immediate steps for setting swine flu testing lab

INDORE: Concern over spread of H1N1 virus which is causing increasing number of deaths, since January 2015 around 40 people has died in Indore; Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday directed state government to take immediate steps for setting up testing laboratory for swine flu in Indore.

Double of bench of Justices PK Jaiswal and Alok Verma passed interim order on a PIL filed by Ajay Mishra challenging inaction of the state government in maintaining public health and lackadaisical approach towards dealing with swine flu despite innumerable deaths in the city.

Court order observed that at present the approved laboratories for testing and confirming swine flu are at DRDO Laboratory in Gwalior and ICMR Jabalpur. These places are situated far away from Indore. Due to delay in setting of H1N1 testing lab, the state government is dependent on Indian Council of Medical Research facility to perform swine flu tests. Collection, transportation and testing of samples take long time and an immediate requirement is to open a laboratory at Indore.

HC passed 11 point guideline for dealing with swine flu in which court directs state to ensure adequate supply of medicine for swine flu at private and government hospitals, provide large number of ventilators in all government hospitals to meet with the number of patients affected by H1N1 virus, provide sufficient N9J mask to all hospitals, increase number of beds and facility for treatment of swine flu patients and provide free treatment and medicine, set up a coordination committee between private and government hospitals, carry out fumigation and spray insecticides in various parts of the city, carry out de-silting and cleaning of nullahs and hold meeting with principals of schools, colleges and representative of different organisation to spread awareness about the diseases.

Counsellor for petition Ajay Bagadiya said public safety is in danger and require an immediate action with regard to precaution, care, medication and treatment for the said virus.

Court in its order observed that as per government report the situation is very alarming. The drugs are not readily available at private medical shop nor has the government identified number of private medical shops to provide drug under the supervision and control of the government. No effective steps have been taken to make available the drugs at number of private places or private hospital.