Centre, Delhi Government to reply on steps taken to deal with swine flu in a week

NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court today sought the Centre and city government's response within a week on the steps it has taken to deal with swine flu outbreak.

While hearing a PIL seeking directions to make tests available at an affordable cost, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also issued notices to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Health and Family Welfare Department of Delhi government, LG and the municipal corporations here seeking their replies before March 4.

"You(respondents) file your counter explaining necessary steps you have taken in this regard," the court said.

The court also asked the government to inform it about the steps it has taken to contain the virus, saying there is a need to create greater awareness level.

The court order came in response to a PIL seeking the establishment of multiple testing laboratories in Delhi and reduction in the cost of swine flu tests in order to make them affordable to all sections of society.

Advocate Gaurav Bahl, appearing for petitioner Leena Tuteja argued that the minimum cost of a test is Rs 4,500 which was very high and dissuaded people from getting tested for the H1N1 virus.

He contended that the government should provide more laboratories in the city for testing swine flu and it should be available at an affordable cost.

Currently, the government has only three laboratories in Delhi for testing swine flu, he told the court.