LETTER

Thoughts of a Concerned Parent on H1N1

I read with dismay the increasing number of fatalities for H1N1 with many involving the lives of young children. It is in this state of mind that I receive news from my child that one of the students in his school is confirmed to have contracted H1N1. He tells me that the students were only informed that morning hence no students were prepared with masks. However the teachers were already wearing them.

While I pray for the child’s speedy recovery, my immediate reaction was to call the school. I asked what action will the school take. Have they disinfected the classroom (since two sessions share the same classroom where the afternoon class were standard one students)? Will the school be closed? The only reply I received was: “We have reported to the Ministry and we are waiting for their instructions.”

Despite reading that the virus is not fatal (if it has not mutated), the steady increase in the number of deaths does not seem comforting. Many of us parents are very concerned especially those with children who suffer from respiratory problems.

With all these in mind, I then took the trouble to call the Ministry of Health myself to find out whether any report has been lodged regarding my son’s school. I was finally given the number of the local health district office to contact and the reply is “We are still checking and verifying. We have many reports to attend to as such we cannot let you know when we will attend to the same”.

Today is Day 3 and by the time the relevant ministries have completed their report and verification, the number of cases in that school can reach up to a 100.

This incident has made me realise why the disease has spread so rapidly. Will many more have to pay with their lives due to all the red tape in the system ?

(Chan May May)