Ramadoss criticised for statement on chikungunya

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 5: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today took strong exception to the statement of Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss that no deaths due to chikungunya had been reported from Kerala.

Replying to a point of order raised by Mr K M Mani(KC-M) in the state Assembly today, he said the Union Minister had made the statement without ascertaining facts.

He said he would request the Prime Minister to restrain Dr Anbumani Ramadoss from making such statements at a time when Kerala was taking various steps to tackle chikungunya.

Rising the point of order, Mr Mani said it was unfortunate that Dr Ramadoss had made the statement at a time when 77 people had died of chikungunya in Cherthala and northern districts of Kerala.

Earlier, making a statement in the House, the Chief Minister said an all-party meeting convened by him yesterday had decided to undertake a week-long sanitation campaign and mosquito eradication programme beginning tomorrow to check the spread of the disease.

He said Rs one crore would be allotted to the affected districts and the health authorities to check the spread of the disease.

Mr Achuthanandan said vacancies for doctors and para-medics would be filled up immediately and the virology institute in Alappuzha strengthened as part of the measures to tackle the disease.

UNI