The fatal virus of dengue has spread its tentacles in 23 districts claiming five lives so far, but Health Minister Damodar Rout still feels nothing to worry. More than 900 people have been found positive, but Rout claims dengue is under control.”
BJP State spokesperson Sajjan Sharma on Tuesday said such irresponsible statement by Rout is surprising and shows his lack of concern to the shattered health services in the State. The Chief Minister must divest Rout of the charge of the Heath Department to save precious human lives. Rout’s reluctance to accept the human loss is inhuman. His “arrogance and adamant attitude” is dangerous for the State, said he.
Sharma pointed out that on August 10, Sahadev lohar, a mechanical shift in-charge of Bhusan Steel plant at Bonai, died of dengue. Similarly, Sema Manjari, a nurse of the MCl Central Hospital at Talcher, died of dengue at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. However, these deaths have failed to wake up the Health Minister.
“Rout seems more concerned about the political health of his party (BJD) than the health of the people. Most of the hospitals in the State have inadequate doctors and medicines. Besides, Rout has failed to put the PHCs and CHCs in order by appointing doctors and with supply of adequate medicines,” alleged Sharma. Moreover, the Nidhi Mausa Rath scheme of Rout has failed to curb the menace of dengue and other diseases. It is a sheer waste of public money, Sharma said.