Health Minister asks CMs to take steps to tackle swine flu

New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) India's Health Minister Ghulam
Nabi Azad has asked states' Chief Ministers to take adequate
measures to tackle mounting swine flu cases and monitor the
activities "at the best of their abilities".

Assuring all help, Azad told the Chief Ministers that
central teams will be sent to advise state governments in
identifying private and public hospitals as well as labs to
treat and test suspected cases.

The Minister spoke to around 25 Chief Ministers,
including those of Maharashtra, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, Monday
night impressing upon them the need to take measures to tackle
spread of the pandemic, a top Ministry official said Tuesday.

He also briefed the Chief Ministers on sprucing up the
healthcare infrastructure to contain further spread of the
disease.

Azad assured them central facilities and asked them to
monitor it at the best of their abilities, the official said
adding he also informed them about plans to procure two crore
tablets of Tamiflu, used to treat swine flu.

The Minister also held meetings with senior officials
of the Ministry Tuesday morning to take stock of the situation
as the toll in the pandemic rose to eight.

Azad will hold a meeting with around 35 Additional and
Joint Secretaries in various central ministries before they
proceed to state capitals for stepping up their efforts to
contain further spread of the disease. (More) PTI