After facing severe criticism for their lackadaisical approach in dealing with the spread of swine flu, the state government and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Monday submitted their replies before the Gujarat High Court enumerating the measures taken by them to control H1N1 menace. However, the replies appear to be a clear example of 'beating around the bush' with no concrete measure pointed out by the authorities. Both, the state and AMC, have submitted that they have left no stone unturned to contain the contagious disease and provide quick and efficient treatment to patients. Replying to the state's query on the infrastructure available in state-run hospitals, the government has pointed out 10 government laboratories where the test for swine flu is done free of cost. The affidavit filed by the state provides that a laboratory at GMERS Medical College in Gandhinagar has been started in 2019 and two more labs at Valsad and Junagadh for seasonal flu testing will be operational by end of the year. It has also submitted that apart from the government labs, 9 private labs are also catering to the need in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat. The state has also submitted that the staff in 1,474 primary health centres and 363 community health centres have been trained for dealing with seasonal flu and have been provided with all the required medicines. The government has also clarified that it is taking all possible measures to fill up the vacancies in the state's health set-up. It pointed out to the court that walk-in interviews are held for the appointment of medical officers and specialist doctors are given appointment on the same day of the interview, along with an attractive incentive up to Rs 2 lakh. This apart, the state and AMC contended that they are running regular awareness campaigns on the contagious disease. Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till Tuesday.

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