TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Two suspected swine flu cases have been detected in Goa, with one admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Goa Medical College, while another has been discharged after treatment. While appealing to locals not to panic, Health Minister Francis D’Souza on Wednesday assured that the government is taking all precautionary measures to tackle the situation and it has enough stock of medicines to treat patients with swine influenza.
“According to my knowledge, we have received two suspected swine flu cases. Both are elderly citizens and one of them arrived from Hong Kong. We are stocking medicines in the Goa Medical College and Hospital, and Directorate of Health Services for treatment,” the health minister said Wednesday.
The two patients were admitted to a private hospital in South Goa. One of them has recovered and has been discharged. D’Souza refused to issue any advisory about banning locals from visiting the country affected with swine flu. “It is like common flu. It is not Ebola,” he commented.
Meanwhile, D’Souza said his department has made all arrangements to curb shortage of medicines as he has already approved a Rs 42 crore proposal for importing medicines. The file, he said, is currently pending with the Finance department for final approval.
