This Article is From Aug 01, 2009

Goa govt neglecting swine flu: Official

Goa govt neglecting swine flu: Official
Panaji:

A day after Goa's nodal officer for swine flu, Dr Rajendra Tamba's letter shamed the state government, it has sprung into action to tackle the flu.

"There is absolutely no money shortage. On Monday I intend to make changes in the set-up and I will make a statement in the Assembly during Zero Hour," said Vishwajeet Rane, Health Minister, Goa.

Dr Tamba had spilled the beans on Friday on the state's neglect of swine flu activities. In strongly worded press release, he had asked the public not to contact him for any swine flu related queries.

His allegations were that the state government hasn't released any funds to tackle swine flu. Even collecting and testing samples is done through funds from another programme, which have now expired.

Dr Tamba had first voiced his concerns in a letter to the Chief Minister on July 19.

"I had no choice but to do this. If they had acted on their promises I would not have had to resort to such action," Tamba said.

Despite an off season, Goa has witnessed six cases of swine flu. The Goa government's response apart, the issue has clearly thrown up concerns on whether the state is medically equipped to handle the upcoming tourist season.

.