Maharashtra public health department issue directives to hospitals across all districts and municipal corporations in response to the rising cases of respiratory illness, particularly among children in China, as per report.
The advisory mandates a examination of Covid infrastructure, including beds, oxygen plant cylinders, ventilators, and other critical systems, as per the report.
Hospitals are instruct to register cases of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and send samples to RTPCR labs for testing, as per report.
They are also advise to keep an ample supply of medicines on hand in case of emergency.
For healthcare workers dealing with contagious diseases, the health department has emphasise the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, and regular hand sanitization.
Dr Pratap Singh Sarnikar, Joint Director of the Maharashtra Health Department said :
“The state’s advisory follows the Centre’s directive on Sunday, urging states to review preparedness. Districts and municipal corporations are instructed to enhance surveillance in hospitals and adhere to the advisory”.
Union Health Ministry had previously issue a nationwide advisory to review public health and hospital preparedness, responding to reports of respiratory illnesses in children in northern China.
The Health Ministry assure that the current situation is not alarming but emphasise the need for caution due to the ongoing influenza and winter seasons.
In light of the advisory, the Health Secretary urge states and union territories to put in place the ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the Context of Covid-19,’ with an emphasis on integrate surveillance for respiratory pathogens.
Other States Who Have Issue Alerts So Far
6 Indian states have put their healthcare infrastructure on high alert in response to the Centre’s directive to review preparedness in light of an increase in respiratory illnesses in China.
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu have all issue warnings.
As per report, clusters of undiagnose pneumonia in children in northern China on 21st November 2023.
Hospitals in Beijing and northern China are experiencing an increase in respiratory illnesses among children, despite having ease Covid-19 restrictions nearly a year ago.
Chinese authorities acknowledge the rise in respiratory diseases, with reports indicating that hospitals are struggling to cope with the surge in patients.
As per report, over 13,000 children sought outpatient and emergency care at Tianjin’s largest paediatric hospital, highlighting the severity of the situation.
