Panjim, Goa:
Goa is one of India's biggest tourist hubs - but now there are serious concerns about whether it is neglecting swine flu prevention.
This is the reason why a shocking press statement was issued by the state's nodal officer for the virus.
In it, a clearly frustrated Dr Rajendra Tamba has asked the citizens of Goa not to contact him anymore as he has no funds to carry out any activities related to swine flu.
"Not a single paisa has been spent by the Government of Goa for the past three months on swine flu. Whatever has been spent has been spent from IDSP (Central government). I do not have an ambulance. I have to take patients by taxi that is not safe," said Rajendra Tamba, State Nodal Officer for H1N1.
Dr Tambe says:
- The state government's isolation wards lack basic facilities
- For the past 3 months he's often had to transport suspected patients by public transport
- Spend his own money to send their samples to Delhi for testing
- Even use the money allocated for salaries to battle the state's 26 cases of swine flu
- He's even written to the Chief Minister with little result
"So now if a patient comes tomorrow how do I send my staff to collect samples of the patient? I do not have money for the taxi. I cannot expect my staff to pay from their pocket," said Rajendra Tamba.
Goa has reported six positive cases of swine flu so far. But in a state which sees so much tourist traffic, can the state government afford to be so laid back?