MBT demands action against Corporate Hospitals for Swine Flu deaths

Hyderabad, Jan 21 (INN): The Majlis Bachao Tahreek (MBT) has demanded that the State Government take all measures on war footing basis to control the spread of H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Speaking to media persons after visiting Gandhi Hospital, Osmania General Hospital, Niloufer Children’s Hospital and Erragadda TB Hospital here on Wednesday, MBT leader Amjed Ullah Khan strongly condemned the lethargic attitude of Telangana’s Health Department officials in dealing with the Swine Flu cases. As per the statement of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar, so far 19 deaths have been reported due to Swine Flu. However, he said that the number of deaths could be much higher as many cases which were not referred to the Gandhi or Osmania Hospitals are not being taken into account. He also criticized some Corporate Hospitals for admitting the Swine Flu cases despite knowing the fact that they could not treat them properly. He said a few Corporate Hospitals referred some cases to Gandhi Hospital when the condition of patients deteriorated and consequently, it resulted in their deaths. He demanded booking of criminal cases against such Corporate Hospitals.

Stating that maximum number of deaths has been reported from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the MBT leader said that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) should be directed to carryout out massive sterilization of all areas from where Swine Flu cases were reported. Further, he requested the Chief Minister Sri K Chandrasekhar Rao to launch a mass awareness campaign on Swine Flu. He appealed the Chief Minister to publish the awareness material in Urdu as the awareness material is available only in Telugu and English.

Thanking the Chief Minister for including Swine Flu treatment under Aarogyasri scheme, Amjed Ullah Khan requested the Chief Minister to announce ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs for the poor patients who died due to Swine Flu and adequate compensation to other affected people who temporarily lost their livelihood due to the disease. He urged the Chief Minister to ensure supply of adequate medicines and medical staff in all the public Hospitals. He also appealed to create a 24×7 trauma center at Police Hospital Malakpet also as many patients of Old City can go for treatment at that Hospital. He also requested the Chief Minister to create special wards in all hospital for children’s below 10 years as the mixing of children with elder patients are creating problems. He also demanded free distribution of Tamiflu tablets and syrup among the affected families and their neighbors.