Meet takes stock of H1N1 measures

PANJIM, AUG 13
In view of the rising number of H1N1 cases the State Core Committee for monitoring of the virus met on Friday at the Secretariat in Porvorim to deliberate on the issue and decided upon various measures to control the spread of the disease.
At the meeting, which was headed by Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava, it was decided to instruct the Education Department to enforce broad guidelines issued by Government of India to keep an eye over students showing influenza-like symptoms.
Taking stock of the present situation, the meeting summed that absenteeism in schools and colleges should be monitored and reported to the Health Officer of the respective jurisdiction for timely action.
The deliberations touched upon the subject of impressing upon the managements to make available enough water so that students can wash their hands after sneezing or coughing.
The meet was informed that the Tourism Department has already updated H1N1 information on its website. Srivastava requested the department to make available handouts in hotel rooms in the hospitality sector giving information on health services that could be approached if need arose. 
The Goa Medical College dean was instructed to take all the requisite measures to procure test kits to detect H1N1 in the State itself without depending on outside labs.
The meeting took stock of the situation arising out of the fast-approaching Ganesh festival and suggested displaying of educational material at railway stations during the festive time.     
Others present at the meeting were secretaries of Health, PWD and Tourism, besides GMC Dean, officers of Mineral Foundation, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa and other Government officers.
Meanwhile, out of the 30 samples that were sent to Delhi’s National Institute of Communicable Diseases four have come positive for H1N1. Two of these are from a private hospital and one each from the GMC and Hospicio Hospital.    
MARGAO REPORTER adds: Saying there’s no need to panic over H1N1 situation, District Collector, South G P Naik on Friday warned of strict action as per law against erring government servants failing to implement measures worked out by the health authorities.
“I have issued orders to the Sub-divisional Magistrates and the panchayats to identify areas to undertake cleanliness drive in their respective areas”, warned Naik, adding that he has asked senior officials to intimate his office if any order is disobeyed by the employees.
Saying that stress will be laid on cleanliness of the local areas ward-wise, Naik said the exercise will kick off in Mormugao taluka in a day or two.
“Similar programs will be undertaken in other Civic bodies and panchayat bodies in the days to come”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Margao Urban Health Officer, Dr Geeta Kakodkar, who has been appointed as the nodal officer to tackled H1N1 in the city, submitted an Action to the district Collector on Friday.
The Action Plan has worked out elaborate strategies, laying stress on the awareness campaign in schools and educational institutions