SMIMS denies reports of patient infected with swine flu symptoms, says it was rumour
GANGTOK, August 12: The Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS) today strongly denied reports of any patients infected with H1N1 swine flu symptoms being admitted in the Central Referral Hospital (CRH) here.
Stating that it was nothing but a rumour to create panic among the people of the State, Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), Vice Chancellor Dr. Surjit Singh Pabla said no such cases have been reported at CRH till date.
“The rumour spread like a wild fire after one person from Faridabad dropped at CRH on August 11 to inquire whether test for H1N1 was being carried out at the hospital,” Dr. Pabla said.
He further said that the hospital authorities today met with the State Health Minister DN Thakarpa and State Health Secretary VB Pathak and clarified about the rumour making rounds in the Capital.
It may also be mentioned here that a meeting was held today in the Capital under the chairmanship of the State Health Minister to discuss precautionary measures against the swine flu pandemic. The meeting was attended by the Health Secretary, officials from the department and doctors from both STNM and CRH Hospitals.
Sources in the department also informed that the State Government has formed a Rapid Response Team and Task Force headed by eminent doctors to tackle the situation in case of swine flu outbreak in Sikkim.
