Declare chikungunya, dengue national health emergency: Congress

The Congress party on Friday demanded that the outburst of vector-borne diseases chikungunya and dengue be declared as "national health emergency" following the death of 32 persons in the national capital in the past few days.

"The nation is currently in the grips of chikungunya, dengue and malaria, which has infected numerous people in the country," Congress leader Shobha Oza told reporters here.

"We demand that this be declared a national health emergency. This will mean the data will be collected," the Congress leader said.

"The only reason that national health emergency is not being declared is because the government does not want to be held accountable," she accused.

She also said that the cost of diagnostic tests for these diseases are very high. "There are not enough beds to handle the number of patients," she alleged.

Taking a pot shot at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government, Oza said: "Both BJP and AAP are busy being in conflict with each other rather than serving the people of Delhi."

She also slammed Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain for their remarks that deaths are not due to these diseases.

"Both the (central and Delhi) health ministers are making irresponsible comments on these disease and both of them don't want to take the responsibility," Oza alleged.

"The WHO (World Health Organization) has to intervene in the matter and tell these respected ministers that deaths occur due to these diseases," the Congress leader said.

She also blamed the central government as well as Delhi government for not respecting the huge mandate of the people.

"People of Delhi elected seven MPs and all the three mayors of the MCD of BJP in Delhi, while the AAP has got over 67 out of 70 seats in the Delhi assembly, but the absolute majority has now turned into absolute corruption," Oza said.

"Despite having absolute majority, no one is ready to take the responsibility here," she added.

She also slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other AAP ministers for touring while the people of Delhi are suffering.

The Congress leader also demanded the tax collected in the form of Swacch Bharat cess be utilised properly.

--IANS

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