Too many grey areas for comfort : Posers over blood samples
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: March 14, 2015 -

Significant grey areas. And these grey areas could be a pointer to how poorly prepared the State Government was in the face of the fast spreading Swine Flu.

Two people have already died due to this disease and a number of people have tested positive for the same.

However it is still not clear if the State Government did follow the laid down procedures of treating any suspect.

As reported in the March 13 edition of this paper, blood samples of patients suspected to be suffering from Swine Flu have to be sent either to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, New Delhi or Virology Centre, Pune.

As things have turned out, the blood sample of one of the deceased was sent to a laboratory at Mumbai and not to the two mentioned centres.

Whether this is acceptable or not is a question which the State Government should answer and fast at that.

The need to instil confidence in the people is paramount. Moreover why is it that the authority concerned has till date not deemed it fit or proper to show the results of the blood samples to the media.

Showing the report to the media is a practise that was followed earlier when Bird Flu and Dengue broke out in the State.

Why the report has so far not been shown to the public, via the media, is a question that should be raised now.

Such a report cannot be dubbed classified information that should be meant only for the Government.

High time that the Government took note of the fact that Swine Flu is a public issue and no stones should be left unturned to earn the trust and confidence of the public.

Keeping something as crucial as the report of the lab test under wraps will only sow seeds of suspicion and distrust. A point which the Government cannot afford to overlook.

There also arises the question of whether the State Government has been seriously sticking to guidelines laid down under the Infectious Surveillance Programme.

If the answer is yes then the Government should answer whether the blood samples of the suspected H1N1 patients were collected under the Surveillance Programme or not.

If no then why was it so ? Moreover why has the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences not been officially informed about the presence of Swine Flu in the State ?

More than a reflection that the State Government has been taking things too casually.

This is about human lives and public health and no Government should be allowed to take things so lightly.

No doubt publicity drive has been launched through the newspapers, radio, TV and local TV channels, but is this enough ?

Why aren’t publicity drives being taken up in the streets and lanes of Imphal and other places ?

What about schools ? Has any thought been given to this ?

Remember CBSE schools are having the board exams for Class X and Class XII and there is the growing need for everyone to be on their toes.

The Government cannot afford to let apathy dog them any longer.

This is also not the time for finger pointing and those in positions of responsibility will understand the point that is sought to be made here.