'No spread of Nipah, results are negative'; opposition politicizing issue, says Muraleedharan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister K Muraleedharan termed the opposition's move to use the Nipah virus prevention efforts politically as unfortunate. He said the allegations of opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan is baseless and that it is not right for the opposition to use this as a weapon.

Stating that the Nipah virus has not spread in the state, he added that the test results received so far are negative. He clarified that there is presently no need to worry about Nipah and that only one is undergoing treatment and on ventilator and his condition remains unchanged.

All the medicines required for Nipah prevention are in stock. Only antiviral medicine is yet to arrive. He informed that it will be delivered from Delhi by this evening. The minister said the situation is presently under control and all directions have been given correctly.

The minister explained that he had coordinated the entire state's affairs and had convened a meeting of top officials. He added that the revenue minister is in Kozhikode presently and is holding a meeting of public representatives there to assess the activities.

Meanwhile, Dr Reena K J has come forward expressing her dissatisfaction over her removal from the post of director of the health department. Dr Reena said that she had not applied for 15 days of leave and had asked for two and a half days of leave due to physical discomfort. The doctor said that she was shocked by the departmental action and said that it was unexpected.

She said that she has never defied her superiors in her more than 30 years of service. If my service is not needed, I don’t feel like sticking here anymore. A person with a long service should not be defamed like this.

Reports say Dr Reena was reportedly removed from the director post following the dissatisfaction of Minister K Muraleedharan. Reena taking leave during the outbreak of the epidemic was the reason for her removal. Dr Reena has been transferred to the Ernakulam Regional Public Health Lab. The temporary charge has been given to Dr V Meenakshi.