Date:03/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/03/stories/2007120350110100.htm

Front Page

Governor summons Health Minister

Special Correspondent

Seeks explanation on the prevalence of fevers in agency area of Adilabad

HYDERABAD: Health and Family Welfare Minister Sambani Chandrasekhar on Sunday appeared before Governor N.D. Tiwari in response to the latter’s summons seeking an explanation on the prevalence of fevers in the agency of Adilabad district.

The Governor had spoken to Mr. Chandrasekhar over phone on Saturday and asked him to come over to the Raj Bhavan at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday. Mr. Tiwari picked up the phone when a BJP delegation led by its State president B. Dattatreya called on him to bring to his notice the plight of fever patients in five vulnerable mandals of Adilabad – Narnoor, Jainur, Sirpur-U, Utnoor and Indervelli.

Clippings shown

BJP MLA G. Kishan Reddy who toured the affected villages showed to Mr. Tiwari newspaper clippings and photographs depicting the woes of patients. Mr. Chandrasekhar arrived at Raj Bhavan accompanied by senior health officials, including Principal Secretary P.K. Agarwal.

Later, the Minister told waiting reporters that the Governor suggested immediate filling of vacancies of doctors and para-medical staff in Adilabad. Mr. Tiwari was informed that the Government was on the job, he said.

Plea to BJP

Mr. Chandrasekhar also said the Governor expressed satisfaction at the health programmes taken up in the district.

When his attention was drawn to the claim of the BJP that over 250 persons, including 140 children, died of malaria in five mandals in the last six months, the Minister asked the party not to politicise health problems of tribals. It was true that several of them died but not on account of malaria. He said it was not proper on the part of the BJP to say that the Government did not take any steps to check fevers.