H1N1 hits Bangalore Urban hardest
Wednesday, 23 September 2009 06:36
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The Times of India 23.09.2009 H1N1 hits Bangalore Urban hardestNirmala M Nagaraj, TNN 23 September 2009, 04:14am IST BANGALORE: Cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) is higher in Bangalore Urban than in BBMP area, especially in the North and West. But, is the worst finally over? That's what principal secretary for health I R Perumal would like us to believe. He told TOI: "Considering the ratio of suspected to positive patients, we can conclude the H1N1 flu incidence is declining in the state."
A week-long active surveillance for controlling Influenza A (H1N1) in Bangalore conducted by the State Surveillance Unit (SSU) with representatives of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases revealed interesting facts: While the flu rate in BBMP area is around 2.5%, in Bangalore Urban, it is more than 5%.
Deputy director, SSU, Dr Vasudeva Murthy, told TOI: "The incidence of H1N1 flu is more in Bangalore North and West, especially in the IT/BT areas and in apartments."
During this surveillance, the disease was also found predominantly in upper and middle class populations, and nil among slum dwellers.
FLOUTING GUIDELINES
According to World Health Organisation and Union health ministry guidelines, separate screening of flu patients has to be arranged in hospitals. While government hospitals in the state are following this, many private hospitals have violated the guideline.
Realizing the inadequate facilities in government hospitals, the state health department was the first to permit private hospitals to screen and treat flu patients. But the violation was unnoticed until NICD officials spotted it. Now, all private hospitals have been directed to make separate arrangements.
CAUSE OF DEATHS
Delay in flu treatment and in administering Tamiflu are the main causes for the rising toll in the state. A recent analysis of all flu deaths showed that in most cases patients reached a hospital late. The clinical audit of flu deaths commenced on Tuesday.
FLU DECLINING?
I R Perumal told TOI, "As delay in reporting to hospital is the main cause of death, we have issued notice to private practitioners, to whom patients generally consult, to refer all patients with flu symptoms to government-notified hospitals for timely treatment. Pollution is another factor for deaths and therefore we have asked BBMP to undertake measures to control pollution."
During the cold weather, disease spreads rapidly. Hence, the situation is likely to be the same till winter ends, he added.
As a preventive measure, people should protect themselves and cover their faces while coughing, sneezing and wash hands regularly.
TAMIFLU PURCHASE
* Tamiflu will soon be available in 48 Schedule X licensed retail outlets in the state. Drug controller, Dr Jag Shetty, confirmed this to TOI: "Only one pharmacy at Richmond Circle is selling Tamiflu. The remaining 47 retail
STATUS REPORT ON TUESDAY
* Suspected cases: 4019
* Confirmed cases: 917
* Positive on Tuesday: 18
(Bangalore - 15 and Bijapur - 3)
Passenger Screened
* Bangalore: 3,90,834
* At Mangalore: 50,075
Total: 4,40,909
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Urban planners decry colour code
Wednesday, 23 September 2009 06:32
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The Times of India 23.09.2009 Urban planners decry colour codeRuhi Bhasin, TNN 23 September 2009, 05:38am IST NEW DELHI: In order to ensure a uniform look across the city during Commonwealth Games 2010, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has been asked to acquire street furniture for all important stretches.
With 54 stretches identified for streetscaping before the Games, an expression of interest (EOI) has been floated by NDMC for acquiring information kiosks, security booths, food kiosks, bus shelters, toilets, benches and dustbins which will comprise the furniture required. The main aim of carrying out streetscaping is to make the stretches pedestrian-friendly.
Said an NDMC official: "We will install street furniture around 11 Games venues, near airports, railway stations, hotels etc. To ensure a uniform look, NDMC coordinated with MCD and PWD and has now floated an EOI. An agency will be given advertising rights and will manufacture and maintain the street furniture. We will shortlist the company within a month's time and it will take another six months to execute the project. Each agency has already hired consultants to carry out streetscaping work.''
The financial implications of the project is still being worked out. Meanwhile, streetscaping will take place along a 75-km stretch in the city with 24 roads belonging to PWD, 21 to MCD and nine to NDMC.
NDMC has already begun streetscaping work along Tees January Marg, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Sardar Patel Lane and Mandir Marg. Meanwhile, MCD is supposed to take on work along Lodhi Road, Dilip Singh Marg, Surajkund Road, Harsukh Dev Marg, Jhandu Singh Marg, Vivekanand Road, Venkateshwar Mandir Marg, road near Kingsway Camp, Nishad Raj Road, Bhishampitamah Marg and Lodhi Road. PWD will take on stretches along Ring Road and Outer Ring Road.
Meanwhile, MCD is not too happy with NDMC being made responsible for shortlisting the company which will take care of street furniture for the entire city. Mayor Dr Kanwar Sain also wrote a letter to NDMC chairperson expressing his objections.
Brace for hike in fares of DTC, Blueline & Metro feeder buses
Wednesday, 23 September 2009 06:29
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The Times of India 23.09.2009 Brace for hike in fares of DTC, Blueline & Metro feeder busesMegha Suri, TNN 23 September 2009, 05:36am IST NEW DELHI: In the next one month, commuters are likely to pay higher fares for Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Blueline and Metro feeder buses. Sources say the proposed increase is going to be "considerable'' as commuters in all other metropolitan cities except Kolkata pay much more for public transport. The proposal has already been sent to the cabinet by the state transport department and is likely to come up for scrutiny in a month.
The proposal will affect fares of DTC, Blueline and Delhi Metro buses which are all likely to get revised soon. Even concessional passes of DTC, which are causing huge losses to the public exchequer, will come under scanner and the rates for these are also expected to be hiked this time. The fundamental being followed is that the longer the journey, the lesser the per kilometre cost of travel.
Even though the new fares will be decided by the Centre, the proposal has reportedly sought a "high figure'', which could even be 50-100% more than the existing fares. Delhi Metro feeder bus commuters could expect to pay Rs 2 more than the current fare. The new fares will be fixed by the cabinet as the the government has not appointed a fare fixation committee.
The proposal has been drafted after looking into several aspects of running the modes of transport like rise in fuel prices, general levels of inflation in the city and comparative fares in other metros in India. Sources said the proposal has given various options of fares, all of which are much higher than what Delhiites are paying. "It would not be proper to quantify at this stage since the final decision will be taken by the cabinet. But if the proposal is approved, people will have to pay much more. The elections are over now, so one can expect the rise,'' said sources.
Bus fares in Delhi were last revised in 2002 when the government increased them for the lowermost slab (0-4 kms) from Rs 2 to Rs 3. The rest of the slabs have remained constant since then, even as cost of manpower, which contributes to nearly 70-80% of the total costs of operation, has risen steeply. Moreover, Delhi government doesn't have a system to increase fares in accordance with inflation. In all, the cost of operation has increased by more than 100% over the years. And with the new DTC buses coming in, the capital costs to run the fleet have also risen, further mounting losses for DTC.
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