JEDDAH: Officials of the health affairs department and representatives of the private hospitals in Jeddah met on Thursday to discuss unified procedure to be followed toward the treatment of swine flu patients.
Meanwhile, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah directed all hospitals in the Kingdom to treat all swine flu patients at government’s expense. According to the royal directive, all patients including expatriates and Umrah pilgrims will be treated at private and government hospitals and the cost will be borne by the government, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Opening the meeting, Dr. Sami bin Muhammad Badawood said the meeting was being held under the directives of the health minister who has asked all public and private hospitals to follow unified procedure in dealing with the H1N1 virus.
The total number of reported swine flu deaths in the Kingdom is 11. Since May 27, when the first confirmed cases of swine flu appeared in the Kingdom, more than 700 cases of swine flu have been identified with 95 percent of these patients fully recuperated.
Badawood said, “Unified procedure should be observed in dealing with this virus including: informing about infected patients, closely observing swine flu patients, quick treatment and seclusion.”
Badawood asked all the private hospitals to send representatives to attend such sessions in order to be briefed about the latest international directives and recommendations regarding this disease.
He underlined the importance of preventive measures against the disease which, among others, included: avoiding mixing with infected people, frequently washing hands with soap and water, covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, having enough sleep, eating nutritious food and exercising.
Assistant director for primary health Dr. Nuha Dashshash delivered a lecture titled “An Introduction to Swine Flu H1N1,” while director of preventive medicine Dr. Adil bin Muhammad Tarkistani delivered two lectures one about the appearance of the swine flu in the Kingdom and the second about informing and following up on infected cases.
He asked the hospitals to have special clinics for the admission, examination and treatment of swine flu patients.
He added that these clinics should be away from emergencies and outpatient clinics. The Ministry of Health has also set up a toll-free swine flu hotline that has been receiving about 3,000 inquiries a day, according to the ministry’s spokesman.
