State will pay medical bills of swine flu patients: CM Fadnavis

With the number of swine flu cases in the state rising, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday announced all hospitals have been directed to provide free treatment to patients.

With the number of swine flu cases in the state rising, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday announced all hospitals have been directed to provide free treatment to patients.

“The government is working on a mission mode with regard to swine flu. We have even informed private hospitals to immediately admit patients who have symptoms of swine flu and all the costs of treating the disease will be borne by the state government,” Fadnavis said in Pune on Sunday.

On Saturday, the death toll owing to the infection touched 155 in the state.

“Even the cost of treatment after the patient is discharged from the hospital will be borne by the state. The government assures complete support to H1N1 patients,” he said.
In the city, 27 patients tested positive for the infection on Sunday. Of these, 21 patients are from the city; eight patients have been admitted to hospitals and one of them is on ventilator. Others are taking treatment on outdoor patient basis and are reported to be stable. No deaths were reported on Sunday.

The total number of swine flu cases in the city has reached 641, of which 95 patients are not from Mumbai. The death toll stands at 20, of which three are city residents.

“There is every possibility that because of the change in weather and lower temperatures, H1N1 cases may increase, but this is just a passing weather condition,” said Dr Vasant Nagvekar, infectious disease expert, Lilavati Hospital.