Committed to defeat encephalitis, PM Modi monitoring situation in Bihar: Harsh Vardhan

NEW DELHI: Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly monitoring the situation in Bihar's Muzaffarpur where over 120 children have died due to encephalitis.
Vardhan said that he visited the district on the Prime Minister's instructions and said the Centre is committed to defeat the illness.
"Based on PM's guidance, the Centre is providing all possible support to the Bihar government," Vardhan said.

Vardhan had visited Muzaffarpur last Sunday, two days before chief minister Nitish Kumar toured the district and held a meeting with officials to review the situation.
The state health department has deputed additional medical officers, child specialists and nurses from other districts to Muzaffarpur to help the health officials in the district.
Health workers were being provided with packets of oral rehydration solution for free distribution in the affected regions, so that dehydration and electrolyte imbalance could be kept at bay in the event of onset of fever.
The government has also announced that it would reimburse any expenses involved in getting children treated at private hospitals and nursing homes or hiring of ambulances.
Many child specialists, not associated with any government hospital, are holding free camps for the afflicted children.
(With inputs from agencies)