State run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) announced Wednesday that it has commenced influenza vaccine administration for pregnant women as precaution against the current swine flu epidemic in the Maldives.
IGMH’s Public Relations and Media Director Ahmed Mausoom stated that influenza vaccines will be administered to pregnant women upon presentation of their national identification and pregnancy cards to the hospital. The service, conducted in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency (HPA), will be available from morning until 4:00 p.m. daily except Fridays.
“The vaccine costs MVR 130, but it’s not covered by Aasandha,” he said, referring to the Maldives’ national healthcare insurance scheme. However, he said that additional fees will not be charged for the injection.
The patient in the worst condition due to swine flu at the moment is a woman who contracted the disease while pregnant. IGMH operated a C-Section to remove her baby late Tuesday due to her worsening condition and said Wednesday morning that both are still in poor health.
IGMH also disclosed that, since Saturday, they have received over 1,000 patients suffering from the viral flu spreading in the nation. Over 250 people suspected of having the H1N1 virus that causes swine flu were tested, of which over 50 have tested positive so far, according to the hospital. HPA had also earlier announced that one person died from the disease earlier this month.
IGMH and privately run ADK Hospital have established flu clinics to treat and control the spread of swine flu while the government has closed down all schools and universities temporarily.
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