Stung by Dengue, Congress slams GHMC

Hyderabad: The Congress party on Saturday has slammed the GHMC for its negligence which led to the outbreak of Dengue, Malaria and other viral diseases in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Led by Hyderabad City Congress (Minorities Department) Chairman Sameer Waliullah, a team of Congress leaders comprising of TPCC Official Spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin, Sajid Shareef and others, visited Fever Hospital at Nallakunta to meet the patients affected with Dengue, Malaria, Viral Fever and other viral diseases.

They interacted with the patients and enquired about the treatment being given to them and the difficulties they are facing at the hospital. They also distributed fruits and financial assistance among poor patients.

Speaking to media persons later, Sameer Waliullah said that the entire city was in the grip of viral diseases, especially Dengue since June. Apparently for the first time, the number of cases, especially of Dengue and Viral Fever, are being reported from non-slums and the number of Dengue cases is higher than the Malaria.

However, he said that despite the outbreak of Dengue and other diseases, the GHMC authorities did not act on time to prevent their spread. TPCC Spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin pointed out that as many as 1,687 cases of Dengue have been reported from across the Telangana State till August 20.

Quoting officials figures, as reported in the media, he said more than 3 lakh people were affected with various viral diseases from June 1 to August 24. They include Malaria - 510; Dengue - 892; Chikungunya - 110; Typhoid - 10,930; Acute Diarrhoeal disease - 86,826 and Influenza like illness - 222,828.

He said despite such an alarming situation, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao did not conduct a single review meeting with the Health Department officials. Health Minister Eatala Rajender too appears to be busy TRS party membership drive.

Nizamuddin reminded that the then Municipal Administration Minister and present TRS Working President KT Rama Rao had announced '100 Days Action Plan' for Hyderabad immediately after winning GHMC elections in February 2016.

However, he said no concrete steps were taken to improve the conditions.