Click to play videoLucknow: Criticised for not doing enough to tackle the killer Encephalitis, the Centre has now formed a GoM to look into the matter. The move comes weeks after after CNN-IBN relentlessly reported on the death of over 500 children in eastern Uttar Pradesh over 90 days.
The encephalitis virus that starts weakening as winter sets in seems to be as strong as ever.
Under heavy criticism for first ignoring this medical emergency and then putting the blame on the UP Government, the Centre has finally decided to act. The govt has set up a GoM headed by health minister Gulam Nabi Azad to come up with steps to deal with the crisis. But the question is - will a GOM actually help?
Health Minister Gorakhpur Shanta Sinha said that if GoM is serious we will see results by next monsoon.
But two weeks after the health minister's visit the hospital dealing with the crisis is still desperately short staffed with only 13 doctors to take care of 250 critically ill children. There is no sign of the 100 bed encephalitis ward promised both by the central and then the state govt. The state govt on its part is asking the Centre for 300 crores rupees and is yet to take responsibility for the 500 deaths.
Encephalitis Expert Dr RN Singh said, “The government is answerable for every life lost, this should be declared as a health emergency, setting up GoM is a good step but not enough.”
Encephalitis has haunted eastern Uttar Pradesh for the last 33 years killing almost 50,000 people till date. For India's dying children the government hasn't woken up a moment too soon.
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