"How many wickets?": Bihar Health Minister at meeting on encephalitis
What's the story
The fierce outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar has left many worried, but apparently, state Health Minister Mangal Pandey couldn't be less bothered.
At a press conference addressing the epidemic plaguing Bihar on Sunday, Pandey instead sought updates from reporters about the India vs Pakistan cricket match.
The disease has claimed the lives of more than 100 children.
Here's what went down.
Details
Out of nowhere, Pandey inquired about the score
On Sunday, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey, along with Pandey, held a press meet in light of the AES outbreak.
In the middle of the meet, Pandey sprung to ask an unrelated question about the India-Pakistan 2019 Cricket World Cup match from reporters: "How many wickets have fallen?"
"Four wickets down," someone responded.
Information
Meeting held after ministers visited families of children with AES
The meeting was held in Bihar after the ministers visited families of children suffering from AES in Muzaffarpur. It was supposed to address the pressing health crisis in Bihar and shed light on the strategies that need to be adopted to tackle the situation.
Twitter Post
Here is the "shameful" video clip
#WATCH Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey asks for latest cricket score during State Health Department meeting over Muzaffarpur Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) deaths. (16.6.19) pic.twitter.com/EVenx5CB6G
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
Outbreak
104 deaths reported in Bihar till Monday
For the uninitiated, Bihar has been bearing the brunt of an Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) outbreak, which has killed over a 100 children.
Official data reveals 80 children died at Muzaffarpur's Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) and 17 others in Kejriwal hospital, over the last two weeks.
Additionally, over 300 others showing AES symptoms have been admitted in local hospitals.
Do you know?
Over 100 death from Bihar heatwave; families question medical facilities
Separately, Bihar is facing the issue of a severe heatwave, which has claimed over 100 lives in the state. Families blamed the deaths on lack of proper medical facilities in government-run institutions. Meanwhile, both Bihar and central governments are trying to combat the crisis.
Reaction
Opposition demands Pandey's resignation
Naturally, Opposition parties were not amused by Pandey's apathy and have demanded his resignation.
"Pandey was more interested in knowing the cricket score while Harsh Vardhan was telling media persons on they plan to alleviate the situation arising from the encephalitis outbreak," Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Ram Chandra Purve said.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also criticized Pandey's misplaced priorities.
Information
Recently, MoS Health was found sleeping at encephalitis-related meet
Pandey's remarks come as MoS Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey was found sleeping at another press meet over the encephalitis outbreak in Muzaffarpur on Sunday. As photos of him sleeping went viral, Choubey later claimed he was "deep thinking and was pensive."