The Opposition Congress on Wednesday urged the State Government to bear the treatment cost of all those affected by jaundice, irrespective of their admission in Government or private hospitals.
State Congress president Bhupesh Baghel and leader of the Opposition TS Singh Deo said they are extremely disappointed with the way the State Government has been dealing with the jaundice outbreak that has claimed more than 17 people mainly in Raipur and Durg districts.
“The incidence of jaundice has assumed alarming proportion and it has spread from towns to villages. Poor people are getting killed in lack of medical facility,” the Congress leaders were quoted in a statement.
They said, “Instead of taking strong measures to protect the lives of people, the Ministers and authorities have been on a defensive mode.” “Health Minister Amar Agrawal, instead of correcting his own department, has been making offensive and false statements,’’ the Congress duo alleged.
The Congress claimed that although 25 people have died of jaundice, the Health Minister has confirmed only five which shows his insensitiveness towards the situation. “The Government is yet to detect the exact reason behind the outbreak nor it is making any sincere efforts to know the facts,’’ they said.
The Congress leaders also accused the food department of not inspecting the street food stalls and eateries. They said no campaign has been launched to create awareness among the people.
The State Government has just conducted a formality by sealing the ice making factories, but it has yet to issue guideline for the monitoring of the quality of such food products. The Government has also not taken any step to examine the ground water which may have been polluted, they said.
Seeking proper treatment of those affected by jaundice, the Congress demanded that the Government must bear the treatment cost of people who are undergoing treatment in the various private hospitals.
They also demanded compensation for the family who lost their near and dear ones because of the disease. Baghel appealed to the private hospital operators to come out with the names and detail of the patients who have died in their hospitals. He also appealed food sellers to maintain hygiene to prevent spread of the disease.