The Central government has rushed a three-member team of National Aids Control Organization (NACO) to Unnao district in Uttar Pradesh for investigating reasons behind 75 persons tested HIV positive.
The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, who reached Unnao on Saturday, told media that the Centre is concerned about the development. “We have rushed a three-member NACO team, led by its National Consultant Dr Asha to investigate and help the state Aids team in conducting HIV tests on remaining villagers,” said the minister.
“We will share the report with the State government once the NACO team submits its report for taking preventive steps so that such incidents are not repeated again,” said the minister.
The Minister admitted that health services in Uttar Pradesh were not up to the mark due to the apathy of the previous regime. “Yogi Adityanath government is working hard to bring them back in the track,” she added.
Patel claimed that she has been told that Bangarmau (from where these HIV positive cases were reported) have a large migratory and truckers’ population.
“This may also be one of the reasons for the HIV positive cases. Although it is a state subject, Centre is also looking into all aspects to help the state government take more preventive steps,” said she.
She also drew the attention of the Yogi government towards a shortage of doctors and specialists in Uttar Pradesh and requested to begin recruitment on priority to streamline health services. “Both the Central and State governments are working in the direction of upgrading health services to provide best medical facilities to all, particularly poor,” claimed she.
