Date:18/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/18/stories/2006071820850500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Vacant posts, lack of funds blamed for fever outbreak

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: United Medical and Health Employees' Union attributed the rising incidence of viral fevers, including chikungunya, in the State to the Government's failure to fill 18,000 vacant posts in the department and non-release of funds.

M. Rangaiah, president, said here on Monday that the union had taken a serious view of the Government's "negligent" attitude. He cited non-issue of notification to fill 3,500 posts in the department and non-regulation of contract employees as instances.

He said that about ten lakh people in the State were afflicted with malaria and chikungunya. Typhoid, gastroenteritis and Japanese encephalitis were spreading to interior areas. The leader accused the Government of being a `silent spectator' even as more tribals, dalits and poor were suffering from these ailments.