KOZHIKODE: Timely distribution of personal protective equipment to hundreds of people, including bystanders and medical staff,who were in close contact with Nipah affected, played a crucial role in arresting the spread of the deadly virus.
It was swift action on the part of state-run Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL) that helped in containing the virus. Masks, gloves and other safety gear were quickly procured in large numbers from within the state and outside by the Corporation thanks to the alacrity shown by the Karunya Medicine Procurement wing of KMSCL
“Karunya Medicine procurement wing was instrumental in timely procurement of essential protective material. Had it not been bought then the Nipah story would have been very different,” said Dr Dileep Kumar S R, general manager of KSMCL.
Later, an Abhu Dhabi-based medical group, also pitched in by delivering safety equipment worth Rs 30 lakh to the medical college authorities. Health officials also acknowledged the alacrity shown by the KSMCL in procuring ribavarin tablets at short notice from the only company in the country which produced it.
Since stocks were inadequate, the Corporation quickly procured the drug from C&F agents in Pune and Hyderabad and dispatched it via flight. “Stocks were ready to be administered to patients at the medical college and also various other hospitals in the district the next morning thanks to prompt action,” a Health Department official said.
KSMCL also played a key role in dispatching immunoglobulin that arrived from Australia .“It was only at 7.55 am that our staff was informed that a flight containing immunoglobulin was supposed to land at Nedumbassery airport at 8.40 am. Still, they were able to deliver the medicine without delay to the Kozhikode Medical College,” Dileep added.The KSMCL officer also acknowledged the role of the National Health Mission in assisting the public sector company in the distribution of essential medicines.