West Bengal Health Minister today accused the Centre of "delaying" the process of dispatching vaccine for encephalitis which led to the death of 55 people in North Bengal since January.
"There could have been fewer deaths if the central government dispatched encephalitis vaccines at the right time," Chandrima Bhattacharya said after a meeting on the situation at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital here.
She alleged that 55 persons died of encephalitis because of the "indifference" of the Central government.
Of the 55, 30 died in July only and 18 encephalitis patients were currently admitted in the NBMCH, an official of the hospital said.
A central team visited the NBMCH on July 29 to take stock of the situation arising out of encephalitis deaths.
Kuljit Singh Anand, the team leader, admitted that there was shortfall of encephalitis vaccines in the hospital and team would urge the Centre to send adequate vaccines to the state.
Praising employees of the hospital for their 'laudable' work, Bhattacharya said there were complaints on cleanliness in the NBMCH for which action will be taken.
North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb, who was present at today's meeting, had earlier said that the Centre had been informed through the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee about the paucity of vaccines in the state.
