Hyderabad: Congress senior leader and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy demanded that Health Minister Dr. Lakshma Reddy resign from his post owing responsibility for the recent deaths due to Swine flu and medical negligence in public hospitals across Telangana State.
Addressing a press conference in Assembly’s media conference hall on Sunday, Ponguleti said there a huge rise in number of deaths due to Swine flu, especially in Khammam and other agency areas.
He said that the State Government has failed to take measures to prevent spread of Swine flu and there was no respite despite tall claims by the Health Minister.
Further, he blamed State Government’s negligence for the death of five women during deliveries in Niloufer Hospital, patients losing eye-sight in Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital and death of six-year-old girl in Gandhi Hospital due to use of contaminated saline.
He said that the State Government should declare ‘Health Emergency’ in view of collapse of entire public health system.
The Congress leader demanded that the government convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue. He also urged the government to constitute an expert committee to suggest corrective measures to streamline the public health system. He said that the Congress party would raise these issues in the forthcoming budget session of Assembly and Council.
Speaking about the centenary celebrations of Osmania University, Ponguleti said that the State Government should involve opposition parties and Teachers’ Association in finalising the celebrations plan. Further, he said that the government should fill up all vacant posts and improve infrastructure in the Osmania University before the centenary celebrations. (INN)