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07 April 2009
The Karen Grech Hospital in Gwardamangia will be set up specifically to take care of any potential pandemic avian flu outbreak that many experts are certain will surface sooner or later.
During a press conference held at Mater Dei for World Health Day, Parliamentary Secretary for Elderly and Community Care Mario Galea and Parliamentary Secretary for Health Joe Cassar outlined Malta’s plans in case of natural emergencies, such as a pandemic avian flu outbreak.
Cassar said how the government was following advice from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC), and guidance from World Health Organisation (WHO) on how to address a possible pandemic avian flu outbreak, adding that Health Plans are being devised in a way that if a virus starts spreading, priority cases take precedence, while emergency operations are carried out and priority care is provided.
Cassar explained how, during a conference which he attended in Egypt recently, many experts were of the opinion that an avian flu outbreak was imminent, and that the only question was of when it would start spreading.
In this light, he said the government’s plans are based on various models of possibilities of how the pandemic flue could affect the country, particularly taking into considering the percentage of the population affected by the virus.
Principally, the plans aim for prevention and control, Cassar said. In case of a pandemic flu outbreak, the first priority would be to limit mass activities. Schools would be closed, he said citing an example, to limit the spread of the infection.
He added that, where possible, the virus would be treated and controlled by primary health workers and only bad cases would sent to hospital for intensive care.
Cassar also said how the Health division already has a stock of virus medication that is checked periodically.
The present stock of 25% he said, however, would expire shortly.
The present stock of 25% he said, however, would expire shortly.
He spoke of the government’s plans to equip the Karen Grech hospital to deal with an outbreak should one surface, adding that the hospital would be fitted with temperature chillers and oxygen piping.
He explained that the decision was reversed in recent months because authorities preferred to first complete patient and staff migration. Since it has now settled down, following the completion of the migration, Cassar said that the hospital was now ready to be converted specifically to cater for a potential pandemic avian flu outbreak.
He added that the Government has already made arrangements with medicinal companies to obtain a vaccine for the virus as soon as one is developed.
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He added that, during emergencies, pharmacies and medical supplies would also be very important. In Mater Dei, he said, rucksacks and aluminium cases containing pre-prepared medical equipment are present which emergency workers can simply pick up and take to emergency areas.
Should an emergency arise, he added, parts of the hospital were built appropriately so that they can change according to the needs of the emergency, Cassar said, adding that one particular recovery area could be turned into an ITU bed ward.
Cassar also spoke how working priorities for staff would change during emergencies to focus on emergency cases. Elective surgery facilities would become trauma centres, and staff would take up emergency-related duties. He added that hospital staff was already trained to this aim, and protocols are already in place.
hat-tip DryHeat
hat-tip DryHeat
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