Govt agrees for debate on amoebic encephalitis, says Health Minister Veena George

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has agreed for a debate on amoebic encephalitis after suspending the assembly proceedings. Health Minister Veena George said that she is ready for the discussion to clear the doubts of the public considering the seriousness of the issue. The discussion will last for two hours from 12 noon. With this, the discussion is being held in the assembly for the second consecutive day. Yesterday's discussion was on police brutality.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan demanded that the assembly proceedings be suspended for the debate. The opposition criticized the failure of the health department to prevent the spread of the disease. Amoebic encephalitis is a disease that is rarely reported in countries around the world. It is reported in Kerala every day. Many have died. However, the cause of the disease has not been found yet. The health department initially did not release the correct figures but later the figures such as the number of patients and deaths were released.

The government had appointed an expert committee to investigate the spread of the disease. However, its report has not been received. Problems are recurring in the health sector. The opposition is likely to present all this in the assembly today.

A 29-year-old from Palakkad was confirmed to have the disease yesterday. Two people who died while undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital were confirmed to have amoebic encephalitis. A 52-year-old woman from Muttathara and a 91-year-old man had died. About twenty patients are undergoing treatment in hospitals across the state suffering from amoebic encephalitis presently.