More doctors are expected to join the public health care system within the next few days in a bid by the Ministry of Health to respond to the needs of the population during the second wave of the H1N1 virus.

Health Minister Jerry Narace along with senior Ministry officials held a meeting with the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association and made the arrangements yesterday.

The Ministry is catering for additional capacity at the public hospitals, by setting up new tents for patient triage, testing and medical care, a press release from the Ministry stated yesterday.

’The use of open air tents for H1N1 suspected cases is a recommended practice internationally, because it allows for proper precautionary measures to be taken against the spread of the virus,’ the release said.

Tamiflu, the preferred drug of choice for the treatment of H1N1 - the administration of which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health - is now available to all private and public medical institutions.

The Ministry will be holding a special meeting tomorrow involving various associations, ministries, public and private agencies to coordinate a wide information dissemination campaign regarding H1N1.

The release said: ’All associations will be asked to assist in the accurate and responsible dissemination of information to their publics in an integrated effort to educate all citizens on how to prevent and manage the virus.’

The Ministry of Health has also noted a considerable increase in the number of people visiting the public health facilities to get tested for the virus in the past couple of days.

In light of the increased demand for health care services, Narace instructed all Regional Health Authorities to extend the hours of operation. The new opening hours will be announced in a later press release.

The release said: ’This unusually high number of people at the hospitals has caused an increase in waiting times and consequently an increased inconvenience experienced by the patients and their escorts.’

The Ministry is asking the public to follow the following guidelines and information.

The public is reminded that low-risk patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms do not need to seek attention at hospitals. Low-risk patients can stay at home and avoid social interactions. If the usual medication (Panadol or Tylenol) does not break one’s fever by day two or three, then patients needs to seek medical assistance. Also, if at any time patients have shortness of breath/difficulty breathing or any other emergency warning sign, then they need to go to the hospital immediately.

For more information on low-risk and high-risk patients; emergency warning signs; clinical management; H1N1 prevention tips; and other important information, all citizens are encouraged to visit the Ministry’s website at www.health.gov.tt; call the Ministry’s hotline at 800-WELL (9355) or email the Ministry at corpcomm@health.gov.tt.