Cong flays KCR over rise in swine flu cases
Hyderabad, Jan 6 (INN): Deputy CLP leader in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has flayed Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao for being non-responsive to the rise in cases of swine flu across Telangana State. About 100 persons got affected and 17 of them died due to swine flu in the past few weeks, he claimed.
Addressing a press conference in Assembly premises here on Tuesday, Shabbir Ali accused the Chief Minister of tuning his entire cabinet into denial mode with regard to swine flu cases.
He said Deputy Chief Minister Dr T Rajaiah, who also holds the Medical & Health portfolio, initially denied the outbreak of swine flu. On December 18, he finally admitted of three deaths, but claimed that there were no more cases of swine flu in the State.
Further, instead of issuing an alert, he dismissed all apprehensions and described swine flu as non-fatal. His claims were proved wrong as several deaths were reported after he made this statement and more and more people are getting affected with the disease every day.
The Congress leader said that the Chief Minister should have held a review meeting on the outbreak of seasonal and other diseases including swine flu. He said it was strange that the Chief Minister did not hold a single review meeting on health issues during his seven-month rule.
Stating that he was not politicising the issue, he advised the government not to suppress the facts while fearing criticism from the opposition parties. He said precious lives of common people could be saved by taking precautions and creating awareness.
Shabbir Ali also slammed the State Government for completely ignoring the health sector. He said that the government hospitals lack doctors, nursing staff, equipment, technicians and even hygienic conditions.
Referring to the night halts done by the Deputy CM at Osmania and Gandhi hospitals, he said those visits were merely aimed at drawing publicity and no follow-up action was taken. He said both the public hospitals were yet to get the promised Rs 100 crore grant from the State Government.
The Congress leader appealed to the Chief Minister to take special interest and direct the officials to take required measures to stop the rise of swine flu and other diseases in the State.
News Posted: 6 January, 2015
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