Doctors say better health infrastructure could have contained Encephalitis

As Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) continues to claim lives in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, medical doctors have said that better health infrastructure could have helped contain the disease and save lives.

The death toll in Bihar, which is grappling under the deadly encephalitis, touched 84 till Sunday afternoon.

Randeep Guleria, Director at AIIMS told ANI, "Unfortunately, encephalitis is common in Bihar and many types of research are being done. Our aim is to get control over the deaths. There is a need to increase health infrastructure."

"AIIMS is ready to give support. The central government is also looking into it. Over the next few years, we will be able to control Japanese Encephalitis," he said.

National President of Indian Medical Association, Doctor Ranjan Sharma said that the IMA should be roped in by the government to suggest remedies of Encephalitis, which usually breaks out in summers.

"Every year it is being said that everything has been done to contain it but it still occurs. It is not the doctors who can be blamed. Lack of infrastructure, basic cleanliness and various communities working have to come up in a big way," Sharma told ANI.

"The government has to take up IMA in a very active role in suggesting ways and remedies. Every answer does not lie with the government. It is the people who are subjected to ground realities," he said.

In the wake of the fatalities, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to families of the children who died due to AES in Muzaffarpur. He also gave directions to the health department, district administration and doctors to take necessary measures to fight the disease.

Earlier, Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey said the state government is doing its best to save the children.

"We are trying everything and anything that can save children's lives. Everything is being made available from medicines to doctors. We have even called doctors and nurses from AIIMS in Patna," he said.

"There is a protocol regarding what kind of medicines and facilities should be given and we are doing the same. We are monitoring things regularly and trying to save our children," Pandey said.