Health minister B Sriramulu tells DNA that his ministry is doing its very best.
The state is in the grip of swine flu. Are you aware of the seriousness of the situation?
Yes I am, and we are taking all precautionary measures to fight the spread. We are making sure that there’s no shortage of Tamiflu. We are also providing enough medical kits to treatment centres.
There are no helplines for emergency cases…
Right now, 1056 is the toll-free helpline .We have also appointed nodal officers, and very soon, more helplines will be set up.
The Opposition is demanding your resignation for allegedly ‘not responding well’ to the pandemic?
The Opposition should behave responsibly. If Congress leaders want a resignation, it should be Ghulam Nabi Azad’s, as the Centre is equally responsible for what is happening. With by-elections around, opposition parties are using the swine scare as a publicity stunt.
Do you want to send a message to the public who are panic-stricken?
The disease is foreign-born and we are trying our best to control its spread. Ultimately, checking the flu’s spread is not in my hands but I will do whatever I can to help the public.
Comments