BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Faggan Singh Kulaste on Saturday blamed the Odisha Government for alarming dengue situation in the State.
So far, 1,293 persons from 20 districts have tested dengue positive while the State has recorded two deaths - one from Khurda and another from Balangir. As many as 837 persons and 255 have been affected in the vector-borne disease in worst hit Keonjhar and Cuttack districts respectively.
Talking to mediapersons, Kulaste said the Odisha Government has failed to take preventive measures to contain the deadly dengue from spreading its tentacles.
"Had the authorities taken appropriate measures, it would not have spread so rapidly," he observed.
The situation in the mineral belt of Keonjhar is very serious since more than 50 persons are found with dengue positive every day, he said and maintained that the Central Government will take up the issue with all seriousness while the State should deal it more aggressively.
The Minister, who visited the dengue patients at the AIIMS Bhubaneswar and SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack, assured all possible support from the Centre to tackle the situation. "I would discuss the matter with the Central health officials at New Delhi on Monday and send a team to take a stock of the situation. We will extend all support as per the recommendation of the Central team," he said.
Kulaste also held discussions with the officials of the State Health department on how to restrict the spread of the vector-borne diseases.
However, on Friday, the Government had turned down the Centre's move to provide all necessary support to strengthen its efforts towards management of dengue in the State.
Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak had informed Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda that at present, the situation was under control and he would request for the Health Ministry's assistance if need arises.
Nayak had told Nadda when the latter spoke to him following a request from Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram who expressed concern about the rising cases of dengue in Barbil and neighbouring areas of Keonjhar district and sought for a team of doctors to be sent to the State to assist it in managing the situation.
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