With cases of swine flu registering an increase in the Capital, the Delhi Government and the Union Government will submit their response within a week to the High Court here on the steps being taken to control the outbreak of the viral disease.
A Division Bench on Wednesday issued notices to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi Government’s Health Department and municipal corporations based on a public interest writ petition seeking directions for providing more laboratories for testing the H1N1 virus at an affordable cost.
The Bench, comprising Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw, asked the government to inform it about the steps taken to contain the virus, while observing that there was need to create greater awareness about the disease, its symptoms and treatment.
Petitioner Leena Tuteja contended that the cost of the H1N1 virus test was Rs.4,500, which is very high and dissuaded people from getting examined. Petitioner’s counsel Gaurav Bahl said there are only three government laboratories conducting the test in Delhi, while multiple testing labs should be established in all government hospitals. The petitioner also sought directions to government hospitals to keep medicines in sufficient quantity for treatment of swine flu.
