The number of swine flu cases has surged to 57 across the state, including 31 in Patna. But the authorities seem hardly concerned about adopting preventive measures to curb the spread of the deadly H1N1 virus.

Experts claim that if the administration do not wake up from their slumber in time, then Patna might reach the point of "complete shutdown" as witnessed in the case of Mexico City and Pune in 2009. Piyush Kumar Tripathi of The Telegraph highlights the half-hearted measures taken by the health department at a few crucial points to check the spread of the virus:

'INVISIBLE' SCREENING CENTRE AT AIRPORT

Status: One swine flu screening counter set up at the arrivals section near the luggage conveyor belt inside the terminal building

Officialspeak: "One doctor and two nurses man the screening centre and anyone with symptoms of swine flu can go and get himself/ herself checked there," said Awadhesh Kumar, airport manager, Jaya Prakash Narayan International Airport, Patna

Residentspeak: "I did not find any screening centre for swine flu after landing at the airport here. If the airport authorities have set up such a centre at all, then it should be prominently visible," said Kumar Rakesh, an investment broker based in Mumbai, who hails from Patna

TT suggests: Announcement regarding the screening centre should be made inside the flight prior to landing. The ground staff of the airlines should also be trained to guide the fliers regarding the screening

 

INEFFICIENT SCREENING CENTRE AT PATNA JUNCTION 

Status: Only one screening centre set up at platform number 1 of Patna Junction, none at the remaining nine

Officialspeak: "People with suspected swine flu come to our screening centre to get the preliminary check done at the platform. In case of any serious symptom, we send the person to Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences," said Roshan Ehsan, medical officer, Patna civil surgeon's office

Residentspeak: "I don't think a single screening centre is sufficient for a railway station with 10 platforms and two exit points," said Pranav Kumar, a resident of Gardanibagh

TT suggests: More screening centres should be set up at the railway station, at least one at platform number 10, which is the exit from the Karbighaiya side

NO SCREENING CENTRE AT SCHOOLS

Status: Students not being screened at any city school in spite of ongoing board exams

Officialspeak: "Though the CBSE regional office has not served any notice to the schools affiliated to it till date, we have done the same from our end. Still, most schools have not started the screening facilities citing the ongoing board exams," said C.B. Singh, secretary, Patliputra Sahodaya, a group of CBSE schools in Bihar

Residentspeak: "I have bought a triple-layered mask for my daughter, who is taking her Plus Two board exams this time and I think screening centres should be a must for all schools," said Supriya Shrivastav, a resident of Ashiana Nagar

TT suggests: The CBSE regional office as well as the education department should issue notices for compulsory screening centres at all schools

NO SCREENING CENTRE AT BUS STANDS

Status: No screening centre at the bus stands

Officialspeak: "We are going to request the district civil surgeon's office to set up screening centres, at least at the big bus stands across the state," said a senior official in transport department

Residentspeak: "I am surprised to see that nothing has been done at the bus stand here for screening of passengers. It is a transit point and screening should be must," said Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Hajipur at Bankipore bus depot

TT suggests: District civil surgeon should immediately depute a team and set up a screening centre at the bus depot

NO SCREENING CENTRES AT TOURIST SPOTS

Status: Absence of screening centres at most tourist spots. However, screening centres have been set up at Gaya international airport, Gaya station and Mahabodhi Mahavihara on Monday after a positive case of swine flu was detected from Gaya

Officialspeak: "At the screening counters, a doctor and two nurses have been deputed. At Mahavihara, the doctor from Bodhgaya primary health centre has been posted," said Gaya district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal

Residentspeak: "Screening counters at the tourist spots in Patna like Golghar, museum and Buddha Smriti Park are extremely necessary," said Saurabh Jha, a resident of Boring Road

TT suggests: The tourism department should coordinate with the health department to set up screening centres at least at tourist spots with heavy footfall

FILTHY CITY 

Status: No fresh initiative has been taken by Patna Municipal Corporation to improve the "inefficient" waste collection and disposal mechanism in Patna

Authorityspeak: "The officials are responsible for the delay in procuring new equipment and commencing door-to-door waste collection scheme, as they are simply inactive in spite of our repeated instructions to expedite work," said mayor Afzal Imam

Residentspeak: "I do not understand how insensitive PMC can remain with regard to health and well-being of residents. PMC simply does not ensure sanitation to curb the spread of virus," said Piyush Shahi, a resident of Dakbungalow Road

TT suggests: Funds for the new solid waste management lying with PMC for the past seven years should be given to some other efficient agency for fast execution of the scheme

AUTHORITYSPEAK

"An advisory related to guidelines for schools for prevention of spread of H1N1 virus has already been issued by the Union government. We are forwarding the same to all district magistrates in the state. Similar guidelines have also been issued for tourists and travellers, which is also being implemented through coordination with the tourism department and DMs."

- D.K. Gupta, nodal officer, swine flu, health department

Additional reporting by Faryal Rumi in Patna and Alok Kumar in Gaya
Pictures by Nagendra Kumar Singh and Suman