Minister for Health Satya Kumar Yadav. File
| Photo Credit: G.N. RAO
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has said the Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is not a communicable disease, and the situation is well under control in the State.
Addressing the media in Anantapur on Saturday, Mr. Satya Kumar said the government was reviewing the situation arising out of registration of the GBS cases in the State.
“We are ensuring that the affected patients are given immunoglobin injection without fail. As deaths are arising due to GBS, we are on an alert,” the Health Minister said.
Earlier, only 15% of the GBS-affected patients had been given immunoglobin injection, he said. “Now, it has been increased. We have asked the officials to ensure that the injections are available at all the GGHs. We have ordered the officials to place indent for the required stock,” he said.
Five cases of GBS were reported at the Government General Hospital in Guntur, Mr. Satya Kumar said, adding that he reviewed the situation with Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishna Babu, and Medical Department and Guntur GGH officials.
Referring to outbreak of bird flu in the State, the Health Minister refuted reports that humans contracted the virus.
Recruitment of specialists
Mr. Satya Kumar said there was a dearth of specialists and super specialists in the government hospitals, and that they were issuing a notification to recruit them. “We are taking steps to recruit MNOs, paramedics, nursing staff and medical officers too,” he said.
Mr. Satya Kumar said the Centre had prioritised the health sector and increased the allocations by 12% in the recent Budget. “As there is an increase in the number of cancer cases, the Centre has decreased the basic customs duty on medicines for treatment of 36 kinds of cancer,” he added.
Published – February 15, 2025 09:14 pm IST