Congress workers staged a protest on Thursday near Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Narottam Mishra's residence demanding his resignation for failing to tackle spread of swine flu in the State. Almost 44 people have died in the State due to swine flu and 66 others have been tested positive for the deadly virus. led by Congress Corporator Monu Saxena, protesters were prevented by police from reaching the residence of Mishra in Char Imli area. Saxena also demanded sacking of Principal Secretary (Health) Pravir Krishna in the issue. He alleged irregularity in purchasing of drugs including that of swine flu in the State and said that the medicines were fake and ineffective.
The Corporator said that a large number of people succumbed to the dreaded H1N1 virus, but the Health department is not revealing the exact figures. "Our demand is that all the Government and private hospitals in Madhya Pradesh should provide proper medical facilities. There should be immediate ban on selling of fake medicines. The false information published in newspapers to take into confidence the people of MP should also stop and Narottam Mishra should resign because many have died in the State due to swine flu," said Saxena.
Meanwhile, taking the matter seriously, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed officials to take measures on a war footing basis to control the spread of swine flu in the State. He directed authorities concerned to ensure that all hospitals have adequate arrangements to deal with the situation.
Chouhan said that there is no shortage of medicines and other facilities and all such amenities are also being provided to Government authorised private hospitals. The CM also reviewed the situation at the Mantralaya along with health minister and senior health department officials. Chouhan also spoke to Union Health Minister JP Nadda on the issue, an official at the Mantralaya, said.