Swine flu screening? It’s a joke

Contrary to claims by the authorities, screening for swine flu is not taking place at Dhargalim check post. Not even during the day. Inter-state bus operators, speaking on condition of anonymity, say that at the most, the medical team stops the bus and inquires with the driver or cleaner if any passenger had been exhibiting H1N1 symptoms. "In most cases, our staff answer in the negative and continue with the journey," a bus operator said. Businessman Ashley Delaney of Saligao who arrived on an inter-state bus from Mumbai said, "I reached the Dhargalim check post at around 7.45am. There were two cops sitting inside the cabin. Neither did our bus halt at the check post, nor did any cop or health department official make an attempt to halt the bus," he said. Incidentally, the state administration has been releasing daily statistics on the number of buses being screened at entry points at Dhargalim and Mollem. When contacted, the health officer in-charge at Dhargalim, Dr Albert D'Souza, said that passengers exhibiting swine flu symptoms are asked to voluntarily alight from the bus. "After the passengers step down, they are taken to a screening centre where they are examined by doctors. Depending on the findings, we prescribe the necessary treatment and if we suspect H1N1, we refer them to the Chicalim cottage hospital," he said. He added that on Monday 1,475 passengers in 45 buses were screened, of which 10 exhibited flu-like symptoms and one has been referred to Chicalim. Bus operators, however, say, "What happens at the check post is that our cleaner alights from the bus carrying the passenger list with him and the cops write down the number of passengers in the bus. We have also briefed our cleaners on how to look out for swine flu symptoms in passengers." A police official substantiated this saying, "Doctors don't even enter the buses to inquire with the passengers. The bus cleaners are asked if their passengers are sick," a police official said. Health officials say it is the duty of the police to halt the buses. "Doctors cannot be expected to halt buses," a health official said.