Oppostion stages walk-out in the Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition staged a walk out in the Kerala Assembly today after the Chair refused permission to move an adjournment motion on deficiencies in the Health Sector and death of tribals for want of proper treatment.

Health Minister V. S. Sivakumar, who opposed the notice to move the motion, said that government had ordered an enquiry into the death of a tribal girl in Achankovil and death of infants in Wayanad after delivery. Preliminary report was that the girl had died before reaching the hospital.

The Minister said that Rs. 4 crore had been spent under a package to improve the health status of tribals in Attappady. As a result, infant deaths had come down. All government hospitals and dispensaries in the State had the medicines needed by them. Government had created new posts of medical colleges and hospitals. The vacancies were not high. There was shortage of doctors willing to join government service and hence recruitment was taking time. Incidence of contagious diseases was lower than last year.

V. S. Sunilkumar (CPI), who had given notice to move the motion, said that 1000 posts of doctors were remaining vacant. Tribals were dying without getting treatment. There was shortage of specialists in taluk hospitals. Government was neglecting its hospitals to allow the private hospitals to flourish.

Leading the walk out, Opposition Leader V. S. Achuthanandan said that the government did not have a long-sighted approach on health care. Corruption was rampant in the health sector.