PCMC to set up separate ward at YCM for swine flu patients

Despite a surge in the number of swine flu patients in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area and as many as 20 deaths reported since January, no specific steps have been taken towards it. As a majority of the patients suffering from swine flu come to the PCMC-run Yeshwantrao Chavan Municipal (YCM) Hospital, Pimpri, the civic body’s standing committee has ordered the health department to set up a separate ward for swine flu patients at the hospital.

The decision was taken by standing committee chairperson Mamta Gaikwad. She said, “While the city seems to be under the grip of the disease, the festive season is here and we have taken this step to ensure that the disease does not spread further.”

Gaikwad added, “The health department has been also instructed that adequate amount of medicine to combat the disease needs to be available at the hospital. The separate ward should have a minimum of six beds.” Dr Pavan Salve, assistant health chief, said, “We will identify the space for the separate ward after discussion with hospital officials.”