Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) led LDF Opposition members staged a walkout from the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday over UDF government`s `indifferent attitude` in tackling different types of fever, including dengue and leptospirosis, which has claimed 140 lives in the last five months.
The Government admitted in the house that more than 9.94 lakh persons in the state had so far sought treatment for various types of fever during the January-June period.
Replying to the notice for an adjournment notice moved by the Opposition on the issue, Health Minister V S Sivakumar said 83 of the 140 deaths were due to dengue fever, 51 of leptospirosis and one of H1N1 disease.
The Opposition alleged that an epidemic like situation had broken out as government had failed to take precautionary steps and because Congress,lead partner in the ruling UDF, was busy sorting out disputes within the party over the issue of inducting KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala into the Ministry.
Noisy scenes were witnessed when some opposition members stood up and objected to Sivakumar reading out a statement on the steps taken by the government to check the fever.
Sivakumar denied Opposition charges and said government had started sanitation work in all parts of the state much ahead of the onset of the monsoon. Steps were taken to create awareness on dangers posed by water sources in houses that work as mosquito breeding grounds, he said.
"It has been found that mosquitoes and contaminated drinking water are the main reasons for the spread of fever in the state`, Sivakumar said.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said steps would be taken to fill vacancies of doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff in hosptials and Public Health Centres.
Elamaram Kareem, who sought leave for the motion, said lack of coordination between departments, collapse of waste disposal treatment mechanism, especially in Thiruvananthapuram and shortage of doctors and medicines in government hospitals had led to the present situation.
CPI(M) veteran and Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said the Health Minister has no right to continue in office and demanded his resignation.
`The best thing people can do now is to round up these type of ministers who act indifferently to problems of the people and beat them with a cane till tears roll out of their eyes`, Achuthanandan said before walkout.
PTI
