It's not time to indulge in blame game, says Nadda

New Delhi: As the death toll due to dengue surpassed 20, Union Health Minister J P Nadda today assured "whatever support" the Delhi government needed in fighting the disease, saying it was not the time for blame game.

The BJP-controlled Municipal Corporation of Delhi and ruling Aam Aadmi Party have been blaming each other over inadequate preparations to tackle the menace.

Nadda today said there was no need to "panic" but advised the public to remain alert to deal with the crisis and not to engage in blame games.

Stating that his ministry has issued a fresh advisory yesterday to Delhi government to "intensify" measures to check the breeding of mosquitoes, Nadda said hospitals have been asked not to return the patients and overcharge them.

"This is not the time to indulge in a blame game. We have issued 12 advisories since April 15 we have been preparing, and all these advisories.

"We have cautioned everybody on time and even today I am cautioning everyone that put in place all arrangements and preparations and we are ready to provide all help," he told reporters here when asked if the Delhi government along with the Centre should be held accountable for the spread of the disease.

The Health Ministry, he said, has organised workshops for Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) from time to time with trainings.

Besides, "in January only we had issued the guidelines, operation and protocol of dengue. We did everything on time," he said.

Nadda said they are giving all technical supports to the Delhi government as the death toll has crossed 20.

"Be alert and I will like to say to the general public, that there is no need to panic, but we should be alert.

"If there is a high fever, we should take the patient to the hospital and see to it that he consumes enough water and get him tested and admitted to the nearby hospital," he advised.

Hospitals have been asked not to return the patients and private hospitals have been told not be overcharge patients, he said.

When his attention was drawn to fresh reports of hospitals refusing to admit patients, the Minister said they are inquiring into the cases and the state government was going to submit a report.

"We are inquiring into the cases and it is the state government that is going to give the report. We are alert on it and whatever support is needed from government of India we are ready to give it,"