National   

Killer pneumonia: Centre yet to get its act together

By P.Sunderarajan

NEW DELHI April 2. As fresh cases of the pneumonia-like disease called `Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome' continues to be reported from different parts of the world, the Centre still is struggling to get its act together for preventing its entry into the country.

Two days back, a high-level meeting of experts convened by the Union Health Minister, Sushma Swaraj, to take stock of the situation in the country, recommended a set of measures to be taken "immediately". These include screening of passengers coming from countries affected by the disease. But, till this evening, some of the key suggestions remain on paper, with the files concerned making the rounds — from one officer to another— in the Union Health Ministry.

A critical recommendation, which is yet to be translated into action relates to an advisory that was to be sent to Indian embassies in all the disease-affected countries to be extra careful while issuing visas.

Another key suggestion, which is still to be acted upon, relates to a written declaration to be made by air passengers coming from the affected countries as to whether they had by any chance been in contact with the disease afflicted person.

The aim was to keep such passengers under surveillance for some days, since the incubation period of the disease was found to be between two to 10 days.

Acknowledging delay, a senior Ministry official this evening said that the wordings of the advisory and the pro forma for the declaration were being finalised and expected to be ready by tomorrow.

While the advisory would be then sent to the Ministry of External Affairs for despatch to the embassies, the pro forma would be sent to the Civil Aviation Ministry to be forwarded to the airports.

Meanwhile, public health experts are dismayed that the authorities are concentrating on the air-route, when there was a possibility for the disease to enter the country through the land route also.

It should be remembered that large numbers of people move across the border between India and Nepal and also between Nepal and China and there is every chance for the disease spread through the land route. Importantly, China accounted for the maximum number of SARS cases.

According to WHO, out of the worldwide total of 1,804 cases and 62 deaths due to the disease reported so far, China accounted for 806 cases and 34 deaths.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• India looking for ways to continue civilian nuclear cooperation
• Ayodhya: `PM should make stand public'
• Samata Party slams Govt. stand on Iraq
• CBI closing in on Pandya killers?
• What is the U.S. plan for sub-continent after war?
• Killer pneumonia: Centre yet to get its act together
• Mumbai airport on high alert
• POTA petitions' hearing begins
• Rajkumar to be discharged soon
• Hearing of appeals begins in Parliament attack case
• Cellphones for remote villages
• Tribunal stops construction of weir
• Salman Khan denies allegations
• Jaitley seeks broad strategy to boost export growth
• DDA official remanded to 5-day CBI custody
• Rohan Gavaskar weds

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu