AES deaths: Ministers face netizens wrath

With the death of over 100 children due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar, social media users are now targeting key functionaries in the state. In a series of attacks, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar along with other leaders, were blamed for the death of children.

New Delhi: With over 100 children losing their lives to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar, social media users are furious with strong messages targeting several key functionaries, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while others have even asked for their resignations.

• The trio of Nitish, Sushil Modi and Harshavardhan should resign and quit politics forever. #BiharInvestigation

  — Shashi Bhushan Sinha (@kakumak) June 18, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  The trio of Nitish, Sushil Modi and Harshavardhan should resign and quit politics forever. #BiharInvestigation

  — Shashi Bhushan Sinha (@kakumak) June 18, 2019

  ">

  The trio of Nitish, Sushil Modi and Harshavardhan should resign and quit politics forever. #BiharInvestigation

  — Shashi Bhushan Sinha (@kakumak) June 18, 2019

Kumar visited Muzaffarpur on Tuesday and following his visit the government commissioned a survey in blocks and villages which reported high death toll to study the socio-economic profiles of the affected families and their living conditions.

• Mr. Prime Minister @narendramodi there is a genocide going on in Bihar and all dying people are kids. Can you hear me Mr. Prime Minister? #Bihar CM #NitishKumar seems sleeping, can you please intervene to stop this

  — Aakash Usha Shukla (@hybridakash) June 18, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Mr. Prime Minister @narendramodi there is a genocide going on in Bihar and all dying people are kids. Can you hear me Mr. Prime Minister? #Bihar CM #NitishKumar seems sleeping, can you please intervene to stop this

  — Aakash Usha Shukla (@hybridakash) June 18, 2019

  ">

  Mr. Prime Minister @narendramodi there is a genocide going on in Bihar and all dying people are kids. Can you hear me Mr. Prime Minister? #Bihar CM #NitishKumar seems sleeping, can you please intervene to stop this

  — Aakash Usha Shukla (@hybridakash) June 18, 2019

Hundreds of angry protesters staged a demonstration against Kumar's visit to Muzaffarpur.

The protest took place outside the state-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH).

The protests continued on social media on Wednesday.

Earlier, Opposition leaders demanded the resignation of Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey on Monday for allegedly asking about the score during the World Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan, while he was at a press conference of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in Muzaffarpur district where nearly 100 children have died due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).

• shame on you @SushilModi @NitishKumar @drharshvardhan
  
  Were you to put your own children in these hospitals?
  Why have you not given proper facilities since 2014??
  Just because they are poor , their lives not worth???@narendramodi #MuzaffarpurChildrenDeath #Muzaffarpur

  — atul sinha (@atulsinha02) June 20, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  shame on you @SushilModi @NitishKumar @drharshvardhan
  
  Were you to put your own children in these hospitals?
  Why have you not given proper facilities since 2014??
  Just because they are poor , their lives not worth???@narendramodi #MuzaffarpurChildrenDeath #Muzaffarpur

  — atul sinha (@atulsinha02) June 20, 2019

  ">

  shame on you @SushilModi @NitishKumar @drharshvardhan
  
  Were you to put your own children in these hospitals?
  Why have you not given proper facilities since 2014??
  Just because they are poor , their lives not worth???@narendramodi #MuzaffarpurChildrenDeath #Muzaffarpur

  — atul sinha (@atulsinha02) June 20, 2019

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan also came under the attack for the deaths in Bihar. They reminded him of the promises he had made in 2014. He promised that a 100-bed paediatric intensive care unit would be set up at SK Medical College hospital. He also announced setting up o five Biological Diagnostic Laboratories in the state.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday said that Vardhan has directed for five teams of senior paediatricians and paramedics to be sent to Muzaffarpur immediately to further strengthen the state efforts and measures in the affected districts.

Ten paediatricians (including five senior consultants) and five para-medics from RML Hospital, Safdarjung and Lady Hardinge Medical College will be part of the five teams, the statement added.