AES Update: Union Health Minister informs about fall in Mortality Rate due to AES; as local court initiates inquiry into matter

Muzaffarpur: A local court ordered inquiry after filing of a petition against union health minister Dr Harsh vardhan and Bihar health minister Mangal Pandey over deaths of large number of children due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar.

Meanwhile  Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed that the mortality rate due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases in Bihar has come down significantly due to strategic interventions made by the central government.

Holding a review meeting on the status of AES cases, he said a round-the-clock point-of-care testing facility has been set up at SKMCH hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar to monitor vital parameters of patients such as blood gases, electrolytes, lactate etc.

The hospital has accounted for 111 casualties due to AES, the maximum number in the state, since June 1.

"This facility is being further strengthened by deployment of biochemists and technicians from central government hospitals in Delhi," Vardhan said.

Read Also:Bihar AES Deaths: Paediatrician Suspended, AIIMS New Delhi to begin research to find Cause of Disease

In the past 48 hours, there have been only five AES related admissions at SKMCH, he said.

The minister said diagnostics have also been strengthened at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Bihar and a portable X-ray with Computed Radiography (CR) digital is being set up to access reports immediately within the ICU.

A portable USG and ECHO set up for PICU is also fully functional round-the-clock, he said.

Vardhan said the 15-member central team of doctors and para-medics will be replaced by a team with similar strength for further 10 days, ensuring continuity of care of admitted cases.

"The team will oversee and support the state government for management of AES cases at SKMCH," he said, adding the multi-disciplinary team deployed by the Department of Health Research will continue to work on varied aspects of research concerning AES.

Satish Kumar, Vector Borne Disease Officer, Muzaffarpur, said, "High level of awareness on precaution and adherence among people like not allowing children to play in the sun, taking bath regularly, ensuring dinner before going to bed and administration of ORS have helped in keeping the cases (of AES) to the minimum."

The volunteers used the public address system and spread awareness through tempos and rickshaws. Essential material like ORS was delivered to every household. Each household was visited to give them information about the medical services available in primary health centres. This work continues till date, he said.

Read Also:AES Outbreak Update from Bihar: Death toll reaches 108; Dr Harsh Vardhan to constitute experts group to monitor cases

The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANMs) continue to share information in every possible way, including videos, so that the region continues to remain free of AES, Kumar said.

Kanchan Mala, a community volunteer, said, "We went from door-to-door and informed everyone about AES prevention and did this much before the present crisis began."

Anita Kumari, an ASHA worker, said, "We know that as soon as summer sets in and the heat increases, children succumb to AES and if we are not on our toes, the cases keep increasing and some even die. To avert this, we began to inform, educate and make the community aware about how to prevent it."

The Health Ministry also commended the work of volunteers in making Turki village in Bihar AES-free.

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Meanwhile A local court today ordered inquiry after filing of a petition against union health minister Dr Harsh vardhan and Bihar health minister Mangal Pandey over deaths of large number of children due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar.

Taking cognizance of the matter, Chief Judicial Magistrate Surya Kant Tiwari, while transferring the case to the court of additional chief judicial magistrate Richa Bhargav ordered an inquiry into it.

The court posted the matter for next hearing on June 28.

As it is, a social activist Tamanna Hashmi had filed the petition in the court of CJM on June 17 against union health minister Dr Harshvardhan and state health minister Mangal Pandey

Mr Hashmi had filed the petition under sections 308, 323 and 504 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) over deaths of children due to AES.

In the petition, Mr Hashmi had alleged that the negligence on part of Dr Harshvardhan and Mr Pandey was responsible for deaths of children due to AES.