State facing shortage of swine flu drugs, test kits

Bengaluru, Feb 13: With the number of H1N1 cases increasing by the day, the government is battling a new challenge - shortage of drugs and testing kits.

At a meeting convened by Health Minister U T Khader in the City on Thursday, representatives of private and government hospitals expressed a common concern. Oseltamivir, a drug used to treat patients with the flu, is available only in minimal numbers. The irony is that Bengaluru, where the maximum number of cases have been reported, does not have enough drug to treat patients.

A representative from a private hospital said, “For each patient, we need 10 tablets. There is just about sufficient stock to treat positive cases; there is a need for more.”

An official from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike said the Palike had a stock of about 700 Oseltamivir tablets as on Thursday.

“We are expecting more drugs tomorrow. Also, the health minister has asked us to share the drugs with private hospitals, if need be,” she told Deccan Herald.It was reported through video conferencing that there was shortage of paediatric drugs across the State.

Short supply

Dr Ravi, head of the department, Neuro-virology, Nimhans, said it was not just tablets, but also testing kits were in short supply. “Presently, there are no kits left with us as there has been no supply from the Government of India. At least 400 are expected to reach us by Tuesday,” he added.

Private hospitals which had the testing facilities also expressed a similar concern.Khader, who spoke to representatives from all the districts through video conferencing, stressed on the need to create awareness on the preventive measures.

He said that the issue of shortage of drugs and testing kits would be addressed. “As of now, it would be ensured that the available stock is used efficiently and distributed to hospitals where cases are reported.

Soon, a meeting would be called for with the Drugs Control Department and a list of dispensaries that have the medication in stock would be put up on the department’s website,” he added.

Khader, who said no patient must be denied treatment at times like these, urged private hospitals to offer treatment at affordable costs. “Presently, in Bengaluru, for every 20-minute distance, a health inspector has been deployed to ensure drugs are given in time for patients in need,” he said.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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