The Narayani Sub Regional Hospital in Birgunj has run out of lab kits for testing swine flu (Influenza ‘A’ H1N1), making diagnosis of the disease difficult.

Dr Udaya Narayan Singh said the hospital ran out of lab kits last week just when the number of swine flu cases was rising.

“We have been compelled to prescribe medicines to the patients after evaluating the symptoms,” he said. 

The hospital has been receiving up to four patients with swine flu symptoms daily. Such patients are usually kept under observation because there is no way of knowing whether they are suffering from seasonal flu or swine flu.

  “We have been requesting Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kathmandu to send the medical kits, but to no avail,” said Dr Singh. 

Raj Kishor Pandit, chief of the District Public Health Office, said the Department of Health Services has asked the hospital to send the list of the patients suffering from the disease. “I have apprised the department of the problem faced by the Narayani Sub Regional Hospital. The department should be more responsible and send the lab kits on time,” he said. 

Cough, fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, vomiting or diarrhoea are the common symptoms of swine flu. Doctors have said if anyone develops one of these symptoms, he/she should immediately seek medical attention.

Death toll from swine flu over the past two weeks has reached nine across the country. Swine flu this season was first detected in Waling, Syangja, after a person from the district died last month at the TU Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu. 

TB claimed 20 lives in Bardiya in past one year

At least 20 people died of tuberculosis (TB) in Bardiya district within the past one year. 

The data of the District Health Office showed that a majority of the deceased TB patients were from Gulariya, the district headquarters. Health officials said that the number of TB patients was high in Gulariya due to lack of awareness and poverty. Doctors at Bardiya District Hospital said more than 900 TB patients were using 

medicines regularly in the district. (PR)