Synopsis
In Maharashtra, amidst a rise in suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases, the Union Health Minister has called for enhanced monitoring and support for free treatment. The government is urged to prioritize water safety and food quality to mitigate risks.Key Takeaways
- Government urged to enhance monitoring of GBS cases
- Free treatment for GBS patients mandated
- Standard Operating Procedure to be established for outbreak management
- Emphasis on clean water supply and food safety
- Public advised to take necessary health precautions
Mumbai, Feb 4 (NationPress) In light of 163 suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and five suspected fatalities in Maharashtra, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has urged the Maharashtra government to enhance monitoring and implement a comprehensive range of measures to manage the outbreak effectively.
Additionally, he instructed the state authorities to ensure free treatment for patients in accordance with the directives from the union health ministry. This was communicated by state Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Tuesday.
Abitkar noted that Nadda conducted an extensive review of the GBS situation in the state on Monday and assured support from the Centre.
According to Abitkar, suspected GBS patients are receiving free treatment at hospitals operated by the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporations, and this treatment is also included under the state's health insurance program, Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. The union minister has also requested the state to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure for managing the GBS outbreak.
As reported on Monday, the total number of suspected GBS patients has risen to 163 with five suspected deaths in Maharashtra. Among these, 127 cases have been confirmed as GBS. One new suspected case was reported on Monday, while the other four are from preceding days.
Out of the 163 patients, 32 are from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 86 from newly included villages in the PMC area, 18 from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, 19 from Pune rural, and eight from other districts.
Of these individuals, 47 have been discharged, 47 are currently in the intensive care unit, and 21 are on ventilators.
The age distribution of the 163 patients includes 24 aged 0-9 years, 22 from 10-19 years, 35 from 20-29 years, 20 from 30-39 years, 18 from 40-49 years, 25 from 50-59 years, 14 from 60-69 years, 2 from 70-79 years, and 3 from 80-89 years.
Abitkar stated that the Union Minister has also emphasized the importance of implementing sufficient measures for water purification, ensuring the provision of clean and safe drinking water, and offering counseling and physiotherapy to patients recovering from GBS.
Furthermore, the Union Minister has called for strict action against canteens and eateries serving adulterated food. The state government has also been instructed to enhance surveillance on poultry and send samples to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, he added.
State Public Health Secretary Nipun Vinayak reported that 67 samples from poultry have already been dispatched for testing and evaluation.
Vinayak assured that there are sufficient beds and ICU facilities available in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation regions.
He mentioned that the Health Department, along with the relevant municipal corporations, is conducting clinical death audits.
He clarified that, in contrast to the coronavirus pandemic, GBS is not contagious. Abitkar made a renewed appeal to citizens to remain calm while taking necessary precautions, such as drinking warm water and consuming fresh food.
