Mangalore Expats in Gulf HINI Vaccine-phobic
By P A Hameed Padubidri, Saudi Arabia

Mangalore / Riyadh , Sep 17: The swine flu or A/H1N1 influenza- has become widespread over 168 countries as it is recently reported, including Saudi Arabia as well as India. In fact, the news of numerous death tolls due to the so-called epidemic disease has also been reported in several countries. 

Being aware of the influenza, the authorities and other agencies have been giving wide awareness tips amongst the general public. All electronic and print media are also on top in reporting the news and creating alertness about the flu. In India including our State -Karnataka, where  the influenza has already claimed  60 lives - articles, flyers, wall posters and other means of communication have also become regular in the media and other places, where the public largely moves about. People with the fear of contaracting the disease are seeking out methods as to how to prevent it .We witness many people wearing face masks while coming out of their houses and offices including in the public places like bus stands, railway stations, airports, hospitals, schools, colleges and such. Some others are seen dropping Nilgiri oil on their handkerchiefs and covering their noses.

However, the wide and over publicity regarding the infection has really caused a lot of confusion and panic among the people especially gulf returning people, who are on their exit and re-entry visas. Karnataka being second only to Maharashtra, where the death toll has already reached 72, the people are fearful of the contagious disease. Mangalore and Udupi Districts are also not free from the swine flue cases and trepidation. The cases of HINI virus are said to have been reported in both districts. Having known of all these, some health centres and hospitals in Mangalore tried to make use of the situation to earn a plenty of money in the name of swine flu vaccine, though there is no any guideline from the concerned authorities. 

It is falsely publicized that those who are returning to Gulf Countries, especially Saudi Arabia, should be compulsorily given a vaccine as a protection from the flu and provided a certificate to produce in the immigration centre in Mumbai and Saudi Arabia. Besides, apprehension was also created in the minds of the gulf-going people that they would not be allowed to have immigration clearance and enter into Saudi Arabia unless the vaccination was done and certification was produced. As a result, there was a heavy rush at some medical centres and hospitals in Mangalore, which charged a huge amounts ranging from Rs 650 and more per person. Obviously, a family with three to four members was burdened with the huge amounts. 

When I inquired about the same with the concerned agencies in Mangalore when I was on a vacation, I was told that there was no need of any such certification or vaccination. But, the reality was also entirely different from the falseness spread in this regard in our districts. When I returned to Saudi Arabia via Mumbai recently, there was no one to ask for the vaccination or certificate in the Immigration Centre either in Mumbai Airport or in Saudi Arabia. The interesting thing was that H1N1 Claim Forms were provided in Saudi Airlines for the passengers while aboard to fill it up with the complete information and submit it in Saudi Arabian Immigration Center in Riyadh. Fortunately or unfortunately, there was none to even receive the filled form in the Immigration Counter.                 

William D’Souza, a Manglaorean, who has been in Abha in Saudi Arabia since several years, had the same phobia about the vaccine in Mangalore and paid for the injection. He told Daijiworld that no authorities either in Mumbai Airport or Saudi Arabia inquired about the inoculation or certificate. D’Souza informed- “if I had not feared of my re-entry to the kingdom, I would not have taken the vaccine as I am healthy and free from any flu or disease; it’s all a money-making trick…”   

Ibrahim Mahmood, from Kaup and Abdul Sattar Hassan, from Shirva-Manchakal, who travelled from Mangalore to Jeddah via Mumbai, and Mangalore to Dammam via Mumbai-Bahrain, recently had a similar experience. They had taken the shots at a medical centre in Mangalore upon the payment of Rs 650 just because of the irrational fear. When contacted the dup said that it was nothing but a phobia being created by the vested interests among the gulf-going people. “We have no objection towards this immunization; but we went to our native place on a short vacation and each day was very important for us with our families; we had to waste half of the day standing in line at the centre for taking the injection though we were healthy.” Ibrahim Mahmood said-“I had to remain at my room in Jeddah for 3-4 days without going to duty as I suffered from a severe fever because of the pain caused due to the vaccination.

There are many gulf-going people, who are still taking the vaccines in Mangalore out of sheer fear that they will not be allowed an entry into Saudi Arabia. He advised all those who are flying to Gulf Countries to be careful and not to heed to rumours unless they are advised specifically by the concerned authorities.    

The ministry of health should warn such hospitals and medical centres for causing panic and also exploiting the situation for their unfair gains. It is obvious that there is no such requirement or guidelines so far in existence either in Mumbai Airport or in Saudi Arabia. Only procedure is that a form will be provided in this regard especially in Saudi Airlines, which needs to be filled up and returned to the Immigration Counter in Saudi Arabia. People need not panic. Though in Saudi Arabia too all the necessary measures to prevent swine flu cases including awareness through media and other means of awareness through notices or pamphlets on the main roads, shopping malls, hyper pandas, hospitals, companies, mosques and other public places, there is no such specific instruction in place that prevents entry of people into the kingdom if no certificate is produced or immunization taken.