After record in COVID cases, deaths, health minister writes 3-page ‘rant’ over ex-PM’s suggestions

A man performs last rites of his mother who died of COVID, in Ghaziabad, UP, on Monday. Pic/PTI

The day India set a new record with 2,73,810 fresh COVID-19 cases and 1,619 fatalities, Union health minister penned down a tirade against the Congress in response to former prime minister Manmohan Singh's letter to his successor Narendra Modi, suggesting a few ways of tackling the enormous surge in cases and deaths.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan released a three-page letter hitting out at the Congress, which many termed a ‘rant'. "Dear Dr Harsh Vardhan: When Dr Manmohan Singh seeks a response from you, he will write to you. He wrote to PM Modi. It is best to stay out of this adult conversation. Your childish rant is embarrassing. By the way, India is not the only developing country with 2 vaccines," Salman Anees Soz, economic development expert, tweeted. "In very bad taste, Dr Harsh Vardhan. Completely avoidable. Political blame game isn't what you should waste your time in during such massive health crisis in the country. Dr Manmohan Singh has given sensible advice," tweeted senior journalist Aditya Raj Kaul.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Vardhan's letter was "politically motivated". "It is unfortunate and condemnable... Any suggestion given by any person or political party to the central government is treated as criticism and is not tolerated. It seems they know they have committed grave mistakes and are guilt-ridden."

Singh on Sunday suggested ramping up vaccination and boosting the supply of medicines. Responding to his letter, Vardhan blamed the second wave of outbreak on the Congress-ruled states, saying they were busy raising doubts about vaccines rather than vaccinating people. "Let alone thanking our scientists, many Congress members and Congress ruled state governments have taken extraordinary interest in spreading falsehoods regarding the efficacy of these vaccines, thereby fuelling vaccine hesitancy, and playing with the lives of our countrymen.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said his reply to the former PM was "probably the first case of pettiness where he took to name-calling and accusations".

‘Remdesivir does not reduce deaths'

Top health experts in the government on Monday said the anti-viral drug, remdesivir, is "not a magic bullet" and does not reduce mortality. AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said remdesivir should only be given to patients hospitalised with moderate illness, who had a fall in oxygen saturation and have infiltrates on chest X-rays or CT-scan.

‘Guj gets 1,200MT O2, Rajasthan 124'

Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma on Monday accused the Centre of discrimination, claiming while 1,200 metric tonne oxygen was being supplied to Gujarat, his state got only 124 metric tonne even though both have similar COVID-19 situations. The health minister also targeted the Centre over the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, and said seven lakh vaccine doses are required in the state daily.

1,50,61,919
Total no. of coronavirus cases in India so far

1,78,769
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far

1,29,53,821
Total no. of patients Recovered and discharged in India so far

12,38,52,566
(Total no. of people vaccinated so far)

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