‘Waste’ fever grips Kerala

TH I R U VA N A N - THAPURAM — The Opposition walked out of the state assembly here yesterday alleging the state government's inaction on tackling diverse diseases like dengue, H1N1, malaria and jaundice across the state, caused by undisposed waste.

Seeking leave for an adjournment motion, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) legislator V Sivankutty lashed out at the government for what he called its failure to tackle the waste-caused "fever" that has spread across the state.

"A million people have been down with fever. Some 11 people have died and the state government remains unmoved. This gure is only from the state-run hospitals. If one takes into account the people who are admitted to private hospitals, the gure would be mind boggling," said Sivankutty.

The state-owned Thiruvananthapuram Medical College here has been ooded with people affected with fever. Health Minister V S Sivakumar made a visit to the hospital on Sunday evening.

"We have given orders to open a new ward exclusively for fever patients to tackle this. A specialist team of doctors has been set up besides forming a surveillance team. Three mobile fever clinics will be reaching out to the people at their door step," said Sivakumar.

The state has been struck by a raging wave of diseases, including dengue, H1N1, malaria, yellow fever besides jaundice. The root cause has been identi ed as the acculumlated waste that is not disposed of properly.

"The state government has set in motion all the necessary requirement. We have sanctioned Rs 25,000 for every ward in each local body to ensure clean surroundings. Talks have begun to set up six waste processing plants across the state besides smaller plants at other locations," said Minister for Corporations and Municipalities M Ali.