Swine flu becomes a political problem in Rajasthan

While the number of deaths from swine flu has reached 84 in Rajasthan, the ruling Congress and the BJP (Opposition) have begun to blame each of them for negligence. The total number of positive cases since the beginning of the year is 2,289.

After Congress came to power in Rajasthan, swine flu became a major concern, especially in Jodhpur, the home town of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Jodhpur is at the top of the list with 25 deaths reported in a month. The BJP targeted the state government on this and claimed that 45 days after forming the Ashok Gehlot government, the law and order in Rajasthan had derailed.

Earlier, swine flu shook the Rajasthan Assembly after the House witnessed the blame game between Health Minister Raghu Sharma and former Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf for accusing each other neglect in the fight against the epidemic. In response, Sharma blamed the previous government for being negligent in managing fear, even after the death of BHP MP Kirti Kumari of swine flu. BJP national president Amit Shah also caught swine flu.

Inadequate test centers

However, according to experts, the epidemic in Rajasthan is due to inadequate diagnostic centers. The Department of Health currently has 12 laboratories with swine flu testing facilities in the hospitals of the seven medical schools in Jaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jhalawar, as well as the research center. Desert Medicine Research Center in Jodhpur and four other private laboratories. In addition, the district and primary health centers do not have the means to carry out swine flu tests, which is crucial because the swine flu, if it is not diagnosed in time, can be fatal.

"Most patients suffering from severe swine flu are either those who have delayed treatment or have pre-existing health problems.On average, people should enter within 2-3 days," said Dr. Raman Sharma, professor from medicine to hospital SMS. The officer responsible for surveillance of swine flu in the state told DH.

At the same time, Rajasthan's Minister of Health Raghu Sharma urged officials to take action against the absent staff. In an attempt to control the threat, the medical and health department has also launched a door-to-door investigation to identify patients with symptoms similar to those of the swine flu.

Most affected

Rajasthan is the most affected in the country, with at least 2,289 (40%) of cases reported from February 2 to February 2. Compared with 2018, 2,375 cases were detected, of which 221 were decimated.