DCM Parameshwar instructs BBMP authorities to take precautions to contain H1N1 in Bengaluru City
Bengaluru, October 14: Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar directed the BBMP officials to take all precautionary measures immediately to check H1N1 cases in the city.
Holding a meeting with the BBMP officials here on Sunday, the DCM said that outbreak of H1N1 virus has created panic among people. So far, total 456 cases were tested positive. Since January to till date, 4902 patients were diagnosed and 456 were tested positive against which all health department officials were directed to take precautions. If people come across any kind of fever, they should immediately visit the hospitals and get treatment, he said.
Every year, H1N1 cases were being reported. In 2015, 94 persons died due to this virus. Later, as precautionary measures were taken, the number of people died due to H1N1 virus had come down. In 2017, total 3000 cases were reported and this year also, the disease has created panic among people, he said.
In North Karnataka, there was no lab facility to identify the H1N1 cases. So, a government lab would be set up soon. Already, two people were died due to H1N1 in BBMP limits. So, the BBMP authorities should take immediate steps, he said.
Candidates to Ballary, Shivamogga likely to be announced by evening.
“It was decided to give up Mandya and Ramanagar to JDS and Jamkhandi to Congress. Since the Congress was in the second place in Ballary, we have decided to contest there. But in Shivamogga, both Congress and JDS have equal opportunity. Since the JDS has claimed stake for Shivamogga, it was discussed to give up the Shivamogga seat to JDS. But whether the JDS will contest from Shivamogga or not will be finalized by evening. Candidates for both the places are likely to be finalized by today evening.”
-Dr G Parameshwar, Deputy Chief Minister
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Karnataka procured 16 lakh expired RT-PCR kits during Covid wave: D’Cunha commission
Bengaluru: Justice John Michael D’Cunha’s committee has uncovered significant irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing that more than 16 lakh RT-PCR test kits purchased by Karnataka in 2022 under the BJP-led government were either expired or close to their expiry dates.
After irregularities in PPE kit purchases, ventilators have also come under the scanner, with the report highlighting discrepancies amounting to Rs 173.26 crore in purchases made by the Medical Education Department.
The commission has also found that the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd. (KSMSCL) that cancelled a supply order for one lakh Rapid Antigen (RAT) kits placed with a Singapore-based company in March 2020 — for delay in supplying — has not recovered the Rs 6.99 crore paid to the company towards the order, as reported by The Hindu on Thursday.
According to the 279-page report on procurements made by the KSMSCL that is compiled in part IV of the report, a payment of Rs 148.84 crore was made by KSMSCL to various suppliers and firms towards procurement of RT-PCR kits from 2020 to 2022.
The Commission’s report, as cited by the publication, stated that there were records indicating procurement of RT-PCR kits, RNA extraction kits and Viral transport media (VTM) of a total value of Rs 106.25 crore during the pandemic in Karnataka. However, according to the report, this procurement was made without administrative approval.
“Since the KSMSCL has failed to discharge its obligation and responsibility, the loss caused to the State exchequer to this extent is required to be replenished by the erring officers and/or officials of the KSMSCL as well as the officers and/or officials of the consignee designated laboratories who received the consignment,” the report said, pegging the losses due to expired kits supplied by companies at Rs 3.11 crore.
In response to the report’s findings, state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao criticised the saffron party for profiting from the pandemic. He promised accountability for the irregularities involving PPE kits and ventilators, stating that those responsible would face punishment.
