Via The Times of India: Court raises eyebrows over acute encephalitis syndrome deaths. Excerpt:
PATNA: The Patna high court has taken strong exception to the death of over 100 children in the state due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) during the last one month.
A division bench comprising Justice T Meena Kumari and Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh on Thursday rejected a report submitted by the government on the matter and directed the government to file within four weeks a fresh report listing the steps taken so far to check the disease.
A petition was filed in this connection by Dhirendra Kumar. The petition alleged lapses on the part of the government and the doctors in providing prompt treatment to the ailing children. The court was also informed the state government initiated a move to procure vaccines from the Centre after the death of many children.
Petitioner's lawyer Sunil Kumar informed the court that immunization was not done properly. Also, many doctors, deputed to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital, Gaya, either did not report for duty or went back after their deputation was cancelled.
Additional advocate general-3 Rai Shivajinath informed the court about the deputation of doctors, immunization of children and fogging in the affected areas.
