Pune/Mumbai, Aug 4 - A private Pune hospital where a 14-year-old girl died of swine flu Monday had failed to inform the state health authorities of her condition despite the public health warnings and directives, an official said Tuesday.
A day after Riya Shaikh succumbed to the H1N1 virus, becoming India's first such death, health authorities began probing the probable lapses on the part of Jehangir Hospital, where she was admitted July 27.
'The concerned private hospital did not inform us till the case turned positive. They may also not have administered the anti-H1N1 drugs properly to the patient, which resulted in her death. It is unfortunate,' Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sharvari Gokhale told IANS.
Meanwhile, a top-level meeting of health officials was convened in Mumbai Tuesday to chalk out the strategy to tackle future H1N1 cases.
Gokhale however maintained that the situation due to swine-flu is completely under control and 'there is absolutely no cause for any panic'.
She added that presently the anti-flu Tamiflu tablets are available at only government and civil hospitals all over the state.
'Only if the situation goes out of control, we shall allow private hospitals to administer the drug. But with around 100 cases in a couple of cities, the matter is fully under control, barring the accident yesterday,' Gokhale assured.
Endorsing her views, State Swine Flu Control Room head Pradeep Awate said that the hospital informed about the girl almost four days after she had been admitted there July 27.