Ahmed Patel questions Govt. response to swine flu

Unsatisfied with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda's assurance in the Rajya Sabha on the swine flu cases, Congress MP Ahmed Patel on Wednesday asked if the BJP-led government at the Centre had planned any study to accurately estimate the number of cases and death reported so far.

Patel said the Health Minister has given certain numbers on H1N1 but added that poor access to health care facilities and inadequate surveillance in the affected states remain a serious challenge given the fact that the state governments are downplaying this issue.

Asserting that there is a very high probability that the government numbers are not accurate, Patel asked: "In this emergency situation, has the government planned any specialised survey / study to accurately estimate the number of cases and deaths reported?"

Patel said that he visited Gujarat this weekend and added there is chaos in the state.

"I have received many complaints of patients being refused admission in government hospitals, private hospitals are exploiting people by charging sky high prices for testing, health workers are poorly trained and lack basic protection and above all the state government has been downplaying the situation all along thought its own minster got tested positive for swine flu," he added.

Asserting that if there was no cause for worry, Patel asked to why the Ahmedabad District Collector imposed Section 144 yesterday.

"Gujarat organised large scale public gatherings this year like Vibrant Gujarat, Kite festival and Marathon. Didn't the Union Government deem it fit to have issued warnings to State governments in the beginning of the year to take extra precautions in such public gatherings?" he asked.

Patel also asked as to what steps the government has taken to ensure preventive medicines and masks are provided at affordable prices and prevent black marketing of these products.

"The Honourable Minister has said the nation need not worry about the quantity of H1N1 related vaccines, H1N1 masks, and chemical reagents for testing. But what about the price of drugs and masks?" he asked.

Patel asked whether the government is in touch with international agencies like WHO to share international best practices.

"Even Indian states like Kerala, through successful micro planning, have performed much better than other states in tackling spread of H1N1. Does the government have any plans to share these best practices with affected states?" he asked.

The Congress leader also questioned the silence of social media on the issue.

"Honourable Minister has given us the number of radio, TV and print ads the government has issued to spread awareness of this subject. But what about social media? He hasn't said anything through online media, given that this government considers it an important medium," said Patel.

"The Prime Minster is extremely active on social media, constantly championing schemes like Digital India and Make in India. Against this backdrop, it is surprising to learn that the Health Minster does not even have an active Twitter handle, or has done much to create awareness through social media," he added.

Patel further asked if the government has a comprehensive long-term plan to tackle this national public health emergency.

"Why doesn't the government advise badly affected states to declare this as an epidemic?" he asked.

Earlier in the day, Nadda assured the Rajya Sabha that there is no need to panic as the drugs to contain swine flu are in abundance.

Nadda, who was replying to clarifications sought by the members on his statement yesterday on the issue, said the government is very much concerned to deal with the situation arising out of the H1N1 virus.

Nadda said that there is no need to go to private hospitals for treatment, as drugs are available in government hospitals along with free laboratory facilities. He said the Health Secretary is in touch with health authorities of the H1N1-hit states through video conferencing on a weekly basis.

Swine flu has led to the death of over 800 people across the country while 14,000 people have been affected by the H1N1 virus.

Swine flu is caused by H1N1 virus. Symptoms for swine flu include high fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain and internal and external bleeding.