It has been a month since the first case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) was reported in Maharashtra, and during this time, the disease has claimed eight lives. Now, cases are emerging in Mumbai as well. However, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole has criticized the state government for not taking the issue seriously enough.
Patole stated that the first GBS case was detected in Pune on January 9, and there are now approximately 170 to 175 cases across the state, with over 100 reported in Pune city, rural areas, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. He mentioned that 50 of these patients are in the ICU. A death from GBS was also reported in Mumbai recently. While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had instructed the creation of special facilities for GBS patients in government hospitals, Patole questioned the implementation of these instructions and whether any significant measures have been taken by the government.
Also Read: GBS Outbreak: Mumbai Reports First Guillain-Barre Syndrome Death, Toll in Maharashtra Rises to 8
Patole also raised concerns about the high cost of treatment, particularly the 20,000-rupee injection required for GBS patients, which he noted is unaffordable for many people. He called on the government to make provisions to cover these expenses. Simply issuing instructions without taking concrete actions, he emphasized, will not be enough.
Patole further criticized the government for being too distracted by internal conflicts to address public health issues. He questioned the health department's preparedness in tackling GBS and stressed the need for greater public awareness and preventive measures. He also pointed out the government's excessive spending on publicity while failing to allocate resources for public health awareness and treatment of serious diseases like GBS, which he described as a grave failure.
With an increasing number of GBS cases in Pune and neighboring areas, there has been growing concern among residents. The first case in Mumbai, involving a 64-year-old woman from Andheri, was reported last Saturday. Currently, Pune district has the highest number of reported cases, with 197 individuals affected. However, the health department has assured the public that there is no need to panic.