UPDATE ON SWINE FLU (H1N1 INFLUENZA)

Please be informed that there have been  confirmed patients of swine flu in Tanzania.

IST clinic is in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health to tackle this flu. We have been provided with rapid tests (swabs) which can detect the disease within 1-2 days for free. If tested positive, treatment with Tamiflu can be started straight away.

If you have any flu symptoms, and especially if you have been traveling abroad, please inform the receptionist straight away so that you can undergo a test and receive a protective mask if needed.

If you think you might have been infected please call the clinic for telephonic advise first.

The clinic is also in continuous contact with the direction and board of the International School in order to limit the spread of H1N1 influenza within the IST-community.

As you will be aware the swine flu has been spreading rapidly.

In order to limit possible spread of the infection please observe the following:

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket.  Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

The following can be done to avoid getting sick:

There is no vaccine available right now to protect swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

  • Cover your nose and mount with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you get sick with influenza, it is recommended that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

 We appreciate your cooperation in this.

 Dr Ype Smit and Dr Belia Klaassen


 
 
Welcome to the IST Clinic website.
The IST Clinic is a primary care clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which provides high quality health services. These services include general practice consultations, psychotherapy, laboratory services, a pharmacy,  minor surgery and first aid care, antenatal and child clinics, ultrasound imaging and short term admission facilities.

The various web pages on this site will provide information on the IST Clinic, its services, opening hours and staff.

The site will also keep you informed of relevant health issues in Tanzania and provide health information for residents and visitors to Tanzania. Important new developments and additions  to the services of the IST Clinic will also be posted on this site.

The site contains a membership subscription form of the IST Clinic for new patients wishing to make full use of the services that the IST Clinic has to offer.

Also available on this site is a  patient personal data (update) form and we request members of the IST Clinic to register any changes to their address, location of residence, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. This will assist the IST Clinic in staying up to date on your personal information and can be important during times of emergency as well as for more effective reporting of test results.

Finally there is an e-mail link with the IST Clinic, in case you need further information or if you wish to pass on information and comments to the IST Clinic staff.

We hope you will find this site informative and useful and welcome any comments and suggestions you may have.

On behalf of the staff of the IST Clinic,



Ype Smit MD and Belia Klaassen MD