Swine flu epidemic: Madhya Pradesh Congress demands health minister's resignation

BHOPAL: Congress workers today staged a protest near Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Narottam Mishra's residence demanding his resignation for failing to tackle spread of swine flu in the state.

Led by Congress corporator Monu Saxena, protesters were prevented by police from reaching the residence of Mishra in Char Imli area.

Saxena also demanded sacking of Principal Secretary, Health Pravir Krishna on the issue.

He alleged irregularity in purchasing of drugs including that of swine flu in the state and said that the medicines were fake and ineffective.

The corporator said that a large number of people succumbed to the dreaded H1N1 virus but the Health department is not revealing the exact figures.

Meanwhile, taking the matter seriously chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed officials to take measures on war-footing to control the spread of swine flu in the state.

He directed authorities concerned to ensure that all hospitals have adequate arrangements to deal with the situation.

Singh said that there is no shortage of medicines and other facilities and all such amenities are also being provided to government authorised private hospitals.

The chief minister also reviewed the situation at the Mantralaya today along with health minister and senior health department officials.

Chouhan also spoke to Union Health Minister J P Nadda on the issue, an official at the Mantralaya said.