Bahrain companies step up fight over virus.

Byline: Manama

Major companies in Bahrain are stepping up efforts to combat the threat of the potentially deadly swine flu virus.

Lectures on the nature of the bug and its symptoms are being held for employees and regular medical check-ups conducted at in-house medical centres.

Workers showing flu-like symptoms are being examined or sent to health centres for treatment.

Three people have already died of swine flu in Bahrain, including Filipina Jane Tamad Diale, 31, Bahraini Mousa Jassim Al Taitoon, 24, and Bangladeshi Mobarak Ahmed Abdur Rashid, 51.

All died in the space of four days two weeks ago, while more than 300 others have also been infected.

Some companies have also taken the precautionary step of reducing business trips to countries, which have reported high numbers of swine flu cases.

'This step was taken to protect our employees,' said Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) general manager Abdulrahman Al Jawahery.

'We are co-ordinating with the government on a daily basis to review the status of swine flu in Bahrain.'

GPIC has its own medical clinic, which includes a 24-hour nursing service for its 500 employees.

The clinic's doctor conducts check-ups for anyone showing signs of carrying the virus.

'If proven to have swine flu, the employee will be admitted to a government medical centre to be treated,' said Al Jawahery.

'We are not worried about absence because we know our employees have a sense of responsibility.

'We have also trained them to be responsible and have educated them on the virus, there is no need to panic.'

Al Jawahery said no workers had caught swine flu and the possibility of the virus spreading among staff was highly unlikely, given the fact they did not mix in large numbers.

'Each employee has a specific location where he operates and he does not interact with other employees as often as in other companies,' he said.

Meanwhile, Bapco has held swine flu lectures, and has issued prevention guidelines for more than 3,000 workers, as well as 50 employees based at the Sitra port.

'They are told how to safely come into contact with those coming from outside the country,' said public relations head Mohammed Falah.

'Also, Bapco's fire, health and safety department has set up procedures to combat the spread of swine flu at Bapco's sea port and oil terminal.'

Falah said Bapco's Awali Hospital was also equipped to deal with any outbreak.

'The hospital has separate isolation areas for segregation of suspected swine flu patients pending assessment, identification and further treatment decisions,' he said.

Stocks of the antiviral drug Tamiflu are available at the hospital's pharmacy and an ambulance is available to transport patients to Health Ministry facilities for isolation and specialised treatment.

Meanwhile, Batelco is urging any of its 1,550 workers displaying swine flu symptoms to stay away and seek medical attention.

Workers diagnosed with the virus have to been told to inform their supervisor and follow the instructions of their doctor.

'Batelco has a healthy workforce and not too many people in the high risk categories, apart from pregnant women and some asthmatics,' said company group general manager Ahmed Al Janahi.

'Currently we have no members of staff with swine flu symptoms and therefore do not feel the need to test people.'

Gulf Air has formed a swine flu task force to monitor the health of its cabin crew and staff.

'It follows guidelines and instructions issued by World Health Organisation, Health Ministry and International Air Transport Association (IATA),' said a spokesman.

'Gulf Air has a four-stage contingency plan with detailed triggers and responses to effectively deal with the public health emergency.'

However, the spokesman said the airline had no immediate plans to conduct daily tests on its employees.

'Currently the company's policy is to advice employees in the headquarters showing influenza-like symptoms to contact the Gulf Air Medical Services as soon as possible,' he said.

'Employees working outstation (cabin crews) are advised to consult their local health authorities or a Gulf Air network medical provider.'

Zain Bahrain shops and offices have seen increased hygiene measures in recent weeks.

'Shops and offices were installed with hand sanitizers in all restrooms and elevator areas and increased janitorial staff and duty rotas for the continuous cleaning of toilets, elevators, gates, desks and reception areas,' said a spokeswoman.

Zain airport branch staff have also been given hand sanitisers and face masks.

The company's communications department has launched an awareness campaign for staff on the symptoms of the H1N1 virus and precautions to be taken to minimise the risk of catching it.

Alba Medical Centre head Dr Rana Al Amadi said protective clothing had been distributed to workers based at its port in Sitra as well as to medical staff, totalling 60.

This includes protective gowns, facemasks, goggles and gloves.

She said each department had its own contingency plan in case of any sudden shortage of staff infected by the virus.

'They have planned for extra manpower in case of shortage in number of employees,' said Dr Al Amadi.

She said any worker who came in contact with a swine flu patient was checked and given Tamiflu as precaution.

'We perform a medical check for those who were in contact with a swine flu patient to ensure they are not infected,' she said.

'Then they are given Tamiflu as a precaution.'

An Arab Ship Building and Repair Yard Company (Asry) spokesman confirmed it also had plans in place to combat swine flu, but no further details were available.- TradeArabia News Service

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