Centre asks West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to review readiness in encephalitis

KOLKATA: Asking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to immediately review readiness of all hospitals in Kolkata to deal with encephalitis, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan has expressed his concern over the death toll in the disease.
In a letter written yesterday, he requested Banerjee to make some arrangement on emergency basis so that best medical and administrative talents from across the country can be put at the disposal of the state government to combat the ongoing outbreak.

Expressing concern over the death toll due to Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) this year in North Bengal and one death in Kolkata two days back, Dr Harsh Vardhan has expressed his desire to visit the affected areas, particularly in the northern part of West Bengal.

He has requested Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio, to immediately review readiness of all hospitals in the metropolis to deal with the situation.

Vardhan also expressed concern over the "delay in treating" a two-year-old victim in Kolkata recently.

A release said that during his visit he might meet the chief minister to discuss about various health projects.