Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday made his first visit to Muzaffarpur district since it was hit by an outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome. Nitish's arrival at the state-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital was greeted by protests by an angry crowd.
By Tuesday morning, the Encephalitis outbreak had claimed the lives of 107 children.
Nitish was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. Nitish and Modi visited the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital where at least 85 children have died of Encephalitis, according to data released on Monday night. Opposition parties in Bihar as well as Central bodies such as the National Human Rights Commission have criticised the Nitish Kumar government's response to the Encephalitis crisis.
Nitish and Modi met children being treated for Encephalitis at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital. They are also scheduled to hold a review meeting with doctors and health officials later on Tuesday. Nitish had earlier announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the Encephalitis victims.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had visited hospitals in Muzaffarpur on Sunday and held a meeting on Monday with top health officials. Vardhan underlined the necessity of an “interdisciplinary, high-quality” research team to study the outbreak of Encephalitis.
Vardhan announced a 100-bed paediatric ward would be constructed at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital, while a branch of the virology laboratory at Patna would also be open at the hospital. Vardhan also promised all primary health centres in Muzaffarpur would get a 10-bed children's ward.
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Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) is a viral disease that has flu-like symptoms including fever, convulsion and headaches. Since January this year, over 1,300 children with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome have been admitted to the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital and the Kejriwal Hospital. Despite the high prevalence of Encephalitis cases, both patients and health officials have complained of inadequate resources.
In an attempt to curb the spread of Encephalitis, the district administration in Muzaffarpur last week ordered schools for students till class eight would remain closed till June 22. For students in higher classes, schools would be open till 10.30am.
