Free swine flu treatment at hospitals: minister
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Health Minister Dr AFM Ruhal Haque has urged people to come to public hospitals for treatment of swine flu, reports bdnews24.com.
The minister ruled out allegations that the flu drugs were being sold at higher prices.
"We have a stock of 2.0 million (20 lakh) capsules of swine flu drug. All the government hospitals will treat the swine flu patients free of cost.
"So, please come to government hospitals", Haque told parliament while replying to a notice on swine flu situation in Bangladesh.
Jatiya Party MP Noor-e-Hasna Lily Chowdhury served the public interest notice.
The health minister dismissed Lily's allegation that the companies were selling swine flu drugs at Tk 800 per capsule instead of Tk 190.
"The private sector people used to sell the drug at Tk 190 per piece. After I requested them, they lowered the price to Tk 150 per capsule," the minister said.
He said at most three people died of the H1N1 virus infection and 311 patients were detected. As many as 2,185 people died of the virus globally since its outbreak in Mexico, Haque said.
Bangladesh government was working with the international community to fight swine flu, he said and added that he was heading a national committee to monitor the situation.
The minister ruled out allegations that the flu drugs were being sold at higher prices.
"We have a stock of 2.0 million (20 lakh) capsules of swine flu drug. All the government hospitals will treat the swine flu patients free of cost.
"So, please come to government hospitals", Haque told parliament while replying to a notice on swine flu situation in Bangladesh.
Jatiya Party MP Noor-e-Hasna Lily Chowdhury served the public interest notice.
The health minister dismissed Lily's allegation that the companies were selling swine flu drugs at Tk 800 per capsule instead of Tk 190.
"The private sector people used to sell the drug at Tk 190 per piece. After I requested them, they lowered the price to Tk 150 per capsule," the minister said.
He said at most three people died of the H1N1 virus infection and 311 patients were detected. As many as 2,185 people died of the virus globally since its outbreak in Mexico, Haque said.
Bangladesh government was working with the international community to fight swine flu, he said and added that he was heading a national committee to monitor the situation.