Delhi is seeing its worst outbreak of dengue in five years, with at least 20 people succumbing to the disease so far, but politicians and bureaucrats are continuing to spar over the issue.
After Delhi's Minister for Women Empowerment Sandeep Kumar first threatened doctors in Delhi, he has now been forced to issue an apology.Kumar was caught on camera issuing a blatant threat to doctors where he threatened to take away their jobs and their licences if they fail to treat dengue patients adequately. "If government hospitals do not admit patients or don't do proper work, then your license will be revoked and your jobs will be taken away," he had said.Kumar also took on Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung questioning what he has done for the people of the city. This after Jung issued an ultimatum to bureaucrats asking them to not comply with orders issued by the AAP government, or face action.
"Where is Delhi's L-G? Delhi is asking what he has done for the people of Delhi," Kumar had said.
Kumar has, however, now claimed that he does not remember making that comment.
"No I did not mean it that way, my intention was not to hurt anyone. I apologise if I have. This should not be made a political issue, we should all work together," said the Delhi Minister.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain also disapproved of the remarks of Kumar.
"Doctors, paramedics, nurses and volunteers are working day and night. When I go to hospitals I see them working with such dedication. I apologise on behalf of him," said Jain.
This comes even as four more people have succumbed to dengue in the capital, taking the death toll to 20. The Delhi government has, meanwhile, approved nearly 800 additional beds in 48 private hospitals to help cope with the surge in cases.
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