Hyderabad, Aug 13 - Panicking over the increasing numbers of swine flu cases being reported, people are queuing up at the Government Chest Hospital here to undergo screening for the viral disease only to be turned away by authorities who say they can't possibly test everybody.
Some people are approaching the designated nodal centre with recommendations from ministers and legislators but doctors are in no mood to obey, saying they will conduct tests only on suspected cases coming from abroad or Pune, which has so far reported 12 of the 19 H1N1 deaths in the country.
Wearing surgical masks, men, women and children can be seen standing in queues at the hospital, requesting doctors to collect their samples or admit them in the isolation ward.
Hospital authorities, who till a few days ago were appealing to people with suspected symptoms to get themselves tested, are now pleading that only those who have travelled to the affected countries or come in contact with those infected should come to the hospital.
'Please go away. We can't conduct tests for everybody. There are certain guidelines issued by the central government which we have to follow,' state coordinator for swine flu K. Subhakar could be seen pleading with a group of people at the hospital.
'People with a common cold are queuing up here and want us to collect their samples. Some are telling us that they have recommendations from ministers and MLAs. Some others are protesting in the media but we will not come under any pressure,' Subhakar told reporters.