The Diplomat Desk
Jammu :TDD,The Indian health sector is preparing to face the threats from Human Metapneumovirus that stem out as a concern due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Directorate has directed health institutions to setup specialized beds everywhere to cope with the outbreak of this virus.
In a noteworthy preparatory work, Gandhi Nagar Hospital in Jammu has specially created an ICU ward with a ventilator, beds, and 24 hour oxygen supply facility. The in-house oxygen generation plant of the hospital produces 22,000 LPM. Apart from the specialized ICU ward, it has 100 oxygen-supported beds with adequate concentration and different cylinders.
Health Director Dr. Rakesh Magotra had also been speaking to the press about not taking anything away from this outbreak yet and reassured people not to panic about the HMPV virus. As the doctor stated, most susceptible people were children and geriatric, although if it had turned out into an epidemic level, then their healthcare system could cope. So far, there was advice by health experts on keeping the precautionary measures going just like before COVID-19.
It is reiterated that HMPV is not a new virus and that the situation has yet to get out of hand. GMC is equipped with more than 500 isolation beds along with completely functional oxygen plants to deal with the cases in case of such an outbreak. Health authorities have particularly urged special attention to children below two years of age and people with underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and cancer as the symptoms of the virus are somewhat similar to general winter flu.TDD
