Times of India
7 August 2009
Pune, India
by Siddharth Gadkari

PMC opens 15 swine flu screening centres to ease pressure on Naidu Hospital. Centres won’t collect swabs, only conduct check-ups, counselling
Ever since 14-year-old Rida Shaikh succumbed to swine flu on Monday, panicking Puneites have been thronging to the Sarojini Naidu Hospital for diagnosis and testing. This is putting pressure on the hospital’s workforce. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Thursday announced the opening of 15 screening centres across the city, to avoid clogging up of services. But this also means that your wait for getting into Naidu Hospital becomes longer.

Mahesh Zagade, PMC commissioner, said, “After the first death by swine flu, people are rushing to Naidu hospital. General practitioners are sending patients to the hospital without taking preliminary tests. So the workload of the hospital has increased. We are starting 15 new swine flu screening centres from today. People will first have to go to one of these centres in their vicinity and get a check–up done there. If doctors feel that the person is showing symptoms of the disease, he or she will be sent to Naidu hospital.

“At the centre, doctors will check the person’s medical history and general information. Swab testing is done only at Naidu Hospital and not at these centres,” added Zagade. Zagade said the centres will be open from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Screening will be conducted free of cost. “We have asked the state health department to provide 20 more doctors for this purpose,” Zagade added. 11 test positive at Naidu Hospital 6 test positive at Aundh General Hospital.

The List of 15 Hospitals
Karve Road
Erandvana Hospital, Contact: Dr. Sarita Ganala (9764000939)

Mhatre Bridge
Late Anandibai Narhar Gadgil Hospital, Contact: Dr. Jyotsana Khole (9422987953)

Ganj Peth
Late Balaji Rakhmaji Gaikwad Hospital, Contact: Dr. Sandhya Bahule

Narayan Peth
Late Kalavatibai Mavale Hospital, Contact: Dr. Nila Limaye (9881385015)

Lakshmi Road
Late Mamasaheb Badade Hospital, Contact: Dr. Swati Joshi

Raviwar Peth
Hutatma Babu Genu Hospital, Contact: Dr. Dinesh Bende (9421018878)

Koregaon Park
Late Bapusaheb Ganuji Kavade Hospital, Contact: Dr. Jaya Bhondave (9922504428)

Ganesh Peth
Late Rohidas Kirad Hospital, Contact: Dr. Chandrashekhar Gujar

Kothrud
Late Jayabai Nanasaheb Sutar MaternityHospital, Contact: Dr. Shyam Satpute (9823217047)

Alandi Road
Siddharth Hospital, Contact: Dr. Bhagwant Gagare (9423004811)

Sahakarnagar
Late Shivshankar Pote Hospital, Contact: Dr. Vidya Rajwade (9422520930)

Aundh Road
Late Baburao Genba Shavale Hospital, Contact: Dr. Madhuri Gare (9823224789)

Yerwada
Late Damodar Ravji Galande Hospital, Contact: Dr. Ujjwala Khristi (9730571404)

Shukrawar Peth
Dr. Kotnis Health Centre, Contact: Dr Asmita Bhoi (9850992960)

Shivajinagar
Late Jangalrao Kondiba Amrale Hospital, Contact: Dr. Aparna Gokhale (9823214103)